President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Ethiopian Airlines that the take-off of Nigeria Air, the country’s national carrier, is on course and will soon become a reality.
He gave the assurance while speaking with the owners of Ethiopian Airlines, according to Mallam Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
According to Mallam Garba, the president emphasized it was a “weighty decision” to reestablish a national carrier by the Nigerian government.
Buhari Gives Assurance Of A Launch
Buhari assured Girma Wake, Ethiopian Airlines Board Chairman, Mesfin Tasswe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, and Daniel Abebe, Group Vice President Strategic Planning and Alliances, on the sidelines of the 36th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Buhari further said that the Nigerian government is committed to providing the necessary support and infrastructure to ensure the successful launch and operation of Nigeria Air soon.
According to President Buhari, Nigeria Air will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation and contribute to developing the country’s aviation sector. He also reiterated his government’s commitment to the ongoing rehabilitation of airports nationwide.
Wake Asked For The Resolution Of The Legal Tussle
In his response, Girma Wake Congratulated President Buhari on the progress towards establishing Nigeria Air, saying that Ethiopian Airlines is ready to partner with Nigeria in the aviation sector.
Wake also expressed his confidence in the Nigerian market, saying that the country has a huge potential for growth in the aviation industry. However, he requested the resolution of the legal tussle halting Nigeria Air from commencing. As previously reported by Travel Radar, Ethiopia Airlines has a 49% stake in Nigeria Air. He further requested the repatriation of airline funds stuck in Nigeria due to the foreign exchange debacle in the country.
Wake said.
“Nigeria is not just a market but a hub for aviation in Africa. Nigeria is a special country, and nobody travels more around the globe than Nigerians,”
Nigeria Air was first announced in 2018, but its launch was delayed due to various challenges. However, President Buhari’s assurance indicates that the national carrier is set to take off soon. The launch of Nigeria Air is expected to boost the country’s economy and provide job opportunities for Nigerians.
The Ethiopian Airlines chief also hinted at the expansion of the airline’s operations in the country with additional daily flights between Lagos and Addis Ababa as well as between the two nations’ capitals, Abuja and Addis Ababa.
What are your thoughts on Nigerian Air Travel Recovery? Please drop a comment below.
