Nigeria Air
FG approves lease of three aircraft from Boeing, Airbus for Nigeria Air
Federal Government has approved the lease of three aircraft for initial take-off of the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, made the disclosure while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Sirika, the approval by the Federal Government will see the three aircraft procured from Airbus and Boeing and would begin operation with domestic routes.
“The airlines will begin with domestic routes, then expands to regional and intercontinental routes.”
On the likely date for the commencement of operations, Sirika said “We will announce commencement soon. There is no specific date for the take-off of the airline operations.”
The Nigerian Air is expected to restore the glory of Nigeria’s aviation sector, boost the country’s economy, attract investors and create job opportunities.
It would be recalled that in June, this year, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has presented the Air Transport License (ATL), to the interim management of Nigeria Air Limited in Abuja.
NCAA’s Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, while presenting the ATL to Nigeria Air management, said it was very important to have a strong airline in the country in view of the single Africa Air Transportation Market and the African Continental Free Trade Zone.
“We are ready to work with the Nigeria Air Limited to strengthen the economy to attract foreign investors for the benefit of the Nigerian Economy.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the process has begun with the issuing of the Air Transport License ATL and very soon the other document will follow to fast track the process before the flight schedule commences.
“With this new agreement now the pride of Nigerian Airline will be restored and Nigerians will benefit the importance of its airlines.”
Speaking after receiving the ATL, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Air Limited, Capt Dapo Olumide said the national airline was one aspect of the entire roadmap project which includes an MRO which is the maintenance facility, aircraft leasing, and university specifically geared towards educating people in the aviation sector.
“This is the whole aspect of the road map and Nigerian air is one of the critical arms of the roadmap which is significant and the objective of the national airline, The President of Nigeria insisted on having a national carrier because we need to restore the pride of Nigeria aviation in Nigeria and outside the country.
“We need to reinstill in the mind of Nigerians with its population in excess of 200 million that it has the capacity and most people around the world say that Nigerians are the most travelled of any nationality and therefore it is important to us provide infrastructure for people to have access to other parts of the world,” the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Air Limited, Capt Dapo Olumide stated.
