The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has announced that the Federal Government has suspended the launch of the proposed National carrier, Nigeria Air.
I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬
— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) September 19, 2018
The Minister revealed this through his social media handle.
It would be recalled that The Federal Government, through the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, on July 18 revealed the branding and livery for a new national flag carrier, Nigeria Air.
Sirika who performed the unveiling at a press conference at the Farnborough Air Show in London, United Kingdom assured that the new National carrier, Nigerian Air will not collapse like the defunct Nigerian Airways.
1:18pm, July 18, 2018, at @FIAFarnborough:
The Name and Logo of Nigeria’s new National Flag Carrier are unveiled, by Minister of State, Aviation, @hadisirika.
Tagline: ‘Bringing Nigeria closer to the world.’#AirNigeria #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/U05d6Ew5JA
— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) July 18, 2018
18/07/18. #NigeriaAir Name and Logo unveiled, by @hadisirika. Looking forward to take-off! #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/HXB4L5NMLP
— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) July 18, 2018
At the unveiling event the minister said the new Nigerian Air is in fulfillment of the government electioneering promises.
In his words:
“We are all fully committed to fulfilling the campaign promise made by our President, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015. We are aiming to launch Nigeria Air by the end of this year.
“Following extensive market research, the branding of our new airline, Nigeria Air, demonstrates a true flag carrier of our nation, soaring through the skies in the shape of our nation’s eagle.”
Where are the foreign investors?
At the unveiling of the logo for the National Carrier, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government had started negotiations with aircraft manufacturers and investors. He revealed that a Nigerian delegation which he led, had met with the Management of Airplane manufacturers, Airbus to negotiate the acquisition of the desired aircraft for the nation.
Discussions with Boeing Continues…..🤲🏾🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/NAits9zJfQ
— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) July 20, 2018
With HE Akbar Al-Baker the Group CEO of Qatar Airways, a potential partner/investor. Discussion continues…..it’s working 🤲🏾🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/aW7jPzOYTZ
— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) July 19, 2018
HMSA Sen. Hadi Sirika and team, meeting with CEO Ethiopian Air Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam at the Farnborough Airshow. pic.twitter.com/trH0baqBpV
— Mustapha (@mustyjun2000) July 17, 2018
Sirika had also disclosed that negotiations with Boeing and other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been concluded for the smooth take-off of the National carrier. There were also reports that Africa’s largest Airline is favoured to manage the National carrier, a claim which the Aviation ministry has denied.
With this new development Nigerians will have to wait longer for a new National carrier after the collapse of the Nigerian Airways.
