Following the controversy surrounding the linkage of Africa’s biggest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines to the establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria with the name Nigeria Air, and a pending court case against it, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the East African Carrier of the country’s commitment and to discuss the final take-off of the new national carrier.
He expressed the confidence that “things will be alright”.
According to thenationonlineng.net, the President spoke during a meeting with Girma Wake, Ethiopian Airlines Board Chairman, who was accompanied by Mesfin Tasswe, Group Chief Executive Officer of the airline and Daniel Abebe, Group Vice President Strategic Planning and Alliances, on the margins of the 36th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President emphasized that it was a “weighty decision” by the Nigerian government to re-launch a national carrier.
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Wake was reported to have requested for a resolution of the legal obstacle halting Nigeria Air, which Ethiopian Airlines has 49 per cent stake, from commencing operations.
He also requested the repatriation of the airline’s funds trapped in the country over foreign exchange challenges.
Wake said the airline has been treated very well in Nigeria since it started operations 60 years ago in the country.
“Nigeria is not just a market, but a hub for aviation in Africa. Nigeria is a special country and nobody travels more around the globe than Nigerians”, he said.
He hinted of a plan by the airline to expand its operations in the country, with daily flight services to Lagos from Addis Ababa, as well as Abuja-Addis Ababa.
Wake said the airline and its partners were ready to kick-off operations on the Nigeria Air once court matters are resolved.
