Nigeria Air: Stakeholders berate FG over Ethiopian deal

The Airline Operators of Nigeria has criticised the deal between the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines to float the country’s air carrier, Nigeria Air, alleging that local operators have been ignored in the process.

Speaking for the AON at the second investigative hearing by the House of Representatives in Abuja on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of TopBrass Airline, Rolland Iyayi, said the Ethiopian Airline was poised to benefit most in the Nigeria Air project.

This was as the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed concern over the project.

He said, “The issue of the national carrier is very important. It is something we are all paying attention to. We just want to make sure we get it right. There have been some misgivings. Some issues have been raised. But there are issues that need clarification.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, also criticised the engagement of another country’s airline to own a major stake in Nigeria’s national carrier, warning that it may be counterproductive.

The Federal Government had recently announced the choice of Ethiopian Airline as the core investor and technical partner in the Nigeria Air project.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had said the Nigerian Government would retain five per cent stake, Ethiopian Airlines would have a 49-per cent stake while 46 per cent of Nigeria Air would be owned by Nigerian investors. Punch