Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika announced that the proposed national carrier will receive its Air Operating Certificate within two weeks. In an interview with AeroTime, Sirika described the airline as a significant opportunity for Nigeria’s aviation sector and for Africa as a whole.
He explained that the launch of Nigeria Air follows a structured, phased process overseen by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The process includes five phases, beginning with a review by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). A consultancy firm was appointed as a transaction advisor to develop a business case and assess the project’s viability. This study, which took about two years and covered two market cycles, produced an outline business case that received ICRC approval and was subsequently endorsed by the Federal Executive Council.
Following regulatory approval, the government opened a public tender for bidders. The procurement process resulted in a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, which will hold a 49 % stake in Nigeria Air. The Government of Nigeria will retain 5 %, while Nigerian entrepreneurs and companies will own the remaining 46 %.
Sirika said the carrier is set to begin operations this quarter. Nigeria Air has already obtained its Air Transport Licence and is now applying for an Air Operating Certificate (AOC). He expects the AOC to be issued within a week or, at most, two weeks, which will mark the formal establishment of the airline and enable it to start flying. The launch is therefore imminent, and the new airline will provide the much‑needed service that has long been missing in Nigeria.
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