Nigeria’s aviation ministry said on Friday that a team led by Ethiopian Airlines is the top contender for the shares of the country’s brand-new airline, Nigeria Air.
You may remember that President Muhammadu Buhari pledged to revive the Nigerian airline during the 2015 election campaign.
The new airline will be 49% owned by Ethiopian Airlines, 46% by the Nigerian Sovereign Fund, and 5% by the Nigerian federal government.
Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, told a news conference that the Buhari administration was anticipated to approve the shareholding proposal in the following several weeks.
According to him, Nigeria Air would have a $300 million initial capital and 30 aircraft by the end of four years.
Nigeria Air will initially only offer service between the nation’s capital Abuja and the city with the largest economy, Lagos. Later, additional destinations will be added.
Former Nigerian senator Sani Shehu responded to the report by claiming that it is not the country’s official airline.
“If Ethiopian Airlines will own 49% of NIGERIA AIR,then it’s not Nigeria’s National carrier,” he said.
More details soon.
