The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday disclosed that plans had been concluded by the government to ensure the take of national airliner, Air Nigeria, by April next year.
The proposed take off of the airline is coming after over three years of sustained efforts by the Federal Government to establish a national carrier for Nigeria, following the collapse of the former carrier – Nigeria Airways – over a decade ago.
The Minister gave this hint during his interaction with State House Correspondents after the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Sirika said the national carrier would be operated by a private company in which the government will hold a 5% stake in the airline, Nigerian investors will hold 46%, while the remaining 49% equity will be reserved for yet-to-be -assigned strategic equity partners, including foreign investors.
According to the minister, when operational, the national carrier will create about 70,000 jobs and also significantly contribute to the Transport sector’s value addition to the nation’s economy.
More details shortly…
