Chinedu Eze
THISDAY gathered from industry sources that although the plan to establish the airline was suspended last year, the government had continued to carry on with the initiative underground. Aviation industry consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Belujane Konsult, Mr. Chris Aligbe, who is privy to the ongoing negotiations, told THISDAY that Qatar, Thai Air, the national carrier of Thailand, and the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, are currently negotiating with the federal government for the position of technical partner of the planned Nigeria Air.
“AfreximBank said it is prepared to provide $300 million that might be required for the project but there must be evidence of government input, which was why government had to earmark the aforesaid sum in the budget,” he added. “Immediately the right technical support is secured for the airline, investors will come. Many international aviation organisations are interested in Nigeria Air project, including aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, which have been competing to see that their aircraft are selected for the airline,” said the source, who demanded to be anonymous.
A former Director of Medview Airline and an aircraft engineer, Mr. Lukeman Animaseun, said it was important that government should explain how it would actualise the national carrier project.