An aviation expert, John Oguadinma has said the Federal Government would need $2.1 billion to acquire some aircraft in order to float the proposed national carrier.
He said about $1.42 million of the sum should be sent to aircraft manufacturer Boeing for eight aircraft for the proposed airline.
He said some Boeing 747-800 series , two Boeing 777 long range and five Boeing 737- 800 series should be acquired for local and regional operations.
Oguadinma assured that his firm, aviation consultants, would fast-track the process of setting up the airline.
He said another $158 million should be paid to another aircraft manufacturerBombardier for 13 aircraft to serve local and regional routes.
According to him, the airline would hit the ground running with a fleet of 33 aircraft and change the aviation landscape.
The expert said: “I am bold to say that if $2.1 billion is provided today and paid to the manufacturers for the acquisition of the aircraft, the carrier would take off .
That amount would enable us facilitate the purchase of some aircraft for start up.
‘’After the first cash injection, we would require another $800 million to facilitate administration and other processes to float a successful carrier.
‘’Of that amount about $700 million will be used for administration and $100 million will be used to kick-start the operation of the airline.”
