Nigeria wants to launch new national carrier in 2021
Nigeria maintains its ambitions to launch its own national airline. Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika revealed Tuesday, October 27, before the Senate Aviation Committee, that the launch of Nigeria Air is planned in the envelope of 78.960 billion naira (207.8 million USD) that claims his ministerial department in the 2021 budget bill, reports The Guardian.
According to the minister, the country is also considering setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center; an aircraft leasing company; an efficient search and rescue service; and an aerospace university with the support of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Regarding the national carrier, the name, colors and slogan ("Bringing Nigeria closer to the world") were revealed to the press in July 2018 during the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom. Takeoff was originally scheduled for December of that year. The lack of financial resources and criticism from experts and the general public, however, forced the government to postpone this project.
Five planes including Airbus A330s and Boeing 737s are expected to serve as a launch fleet with a target of 30 aircraft within the next five years. The carrier is planning 81 routes, including 40 national, regional and sub-regional lines and 41 international routes. Structured on the basis of a public private partnership, the initial capital should be between 150 and 300 million dollars, invested in installments.
According to the minister, the country is also considering setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center; an aircraft leasing company; an efficient search and rescue service; and an aerospace university with the support of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Regarding the national carrier, the name, colors and slogan ("Bringing Nigeria closer to the world") were revealed to the press in July 2018 during the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom. Takeoff was originally scheduled for December of that year. The lack of financial resources and criticism from experts and the general public, however, forced the government to postpone this project.
Five planes including Airbus A330s and Boeing 737s are expected to serve as a launch fleet with a target of 30 aircraft within the next five years. The carrier is planning 81 routes, including 40 national, regional and sub-regional lines and 41 international routes. Structured on the basis of a public private partnership, the initial capital should be between 150 and 300 million dollars, invested in installments.
Source: newsaero
