Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation sector have criticized former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika for disregarding warnings about the viability of Nigeria Air, following the termination of its joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines.
Last week, Ethiopian Airlines revealed that the Nigerian government had lost interest in the partnership. Mesfin Tasew, the airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer, stated: “The Nigeria government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline.”
Industry experts have commended the government’s decision, noting that other major airlines like Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines had previously rejected Sirika’s proposal for Nigeria Air.
Speaking on the matter, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), a former military commandant at Murtala Muhammed Airport, criticized the project: “I told Sirika that a national carrier wouldn’t work because they wanted to start it as a government carrier. Very few countries with populations under 50 million have successful national carriers. Nigeria should focus on establishing a flag carrier instead.”
Chris Aligbe, former spokesperson of the defunct Nigeria Airways, echoed this sentiment: “When Sirika marketed Nigeria Air, major airlines like Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines weren’t interested. Nigeria is globally known for not respecting agreements, leading to our airlines being blacklisted by aircraft leasing companies.”
Aligbe noted that the only airline interested in Nigeria Air was Ethiopian Airlines, highlighting Nigeria’s tarnished reputation in international aviation circles.
Air Vice Marshal Anthony Okpere (retd.), a former Minister of Aviation, suggested an alternative path: “If there are future plans for a national carrier, the government should designate Air Peace and Ibom Air as the country’s carriers. Starting from scratch with new aircraft or leases will not work. We need to develop and expand our existing internal capacity.”
The stakeholders’ consensus is clear: the Nigerian government should avoid floating another national carrier and instead support and expand current flag carriers.
Comments