The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the leasing of three aircraft for the commencement of operations of the country’s carrier, Nigeria Air.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the close of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Sirika said the airline would begin with three aircraft manufactured by Airbus and Boeing.
The carrier would operate domestic flights with plans to expand into regional and intercontinental routes, he said. The minister, however, declined stating the kick-off date saying “We will announce commencement soon.”
Since it was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England in July 2018, Nigeria Air has been mired in controversies that led to its suspension in September 2018, barely two months after its proposal. Speaking on Wednesday, Sirika said, “I presented two memoranda on the national carrier to allow Nigeria to lease aircraft to start operations. That has been approved by the council.”
