After 15 years ceasing its airlines operations, Nigeria has unveiled its new national carrier ‘Nigeria Air’.
Nigerian Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika made the announcement and unveiled the new branding and livery for the airline at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. The Nigerian government hopes to launch operations by the end of the year.
“The Nigerian Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier. The government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it,” says told CNN
Nigerian Airways demise started in 1980 with the introduction of International Monetary Fund policies along with corruption, mismanagement and over staffing. The carrier had accumulated debts that outstripped its revenues in the mid-1980s leading to impounding of aircraft for unpaid debts.
The Nigerian government later came to an agreement with Virgin Atlantic Airways to found Virgin Nigeria Airways, intended as a replacement; Virgin Atlantic later sold its 49% stake in 2008 while changing the name to Nigerian Eagle Airlines.
In 2010 Jimoh Ibrahim acquired a majority stake in the carrier changing the name to Air Nigeria.
