The newly appointed Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the suspension of the Nigeria Air project.
His decision was hailed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) who raised concerns about the transparency of the project and the involvement of certain firms linked to the previous aviation minister.
AON, which opposed the previous government’s approach to the national carrier project, expressed solidarity with the new minister. Its spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, emphasised the lack of transparency in the project.
Keyamo revealed that the project was currently entangled in a legal dispute between AON and the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
Keyamo, after announcing the suspension of concession agreements for Abuja and Kano international terminals, explained that he intended to conduct a thorough review of the agreements.
AON’s objections to Nigeria Air follow a lawsuit filed by the organisation against the former Minister Sirika last year, seeking to halt the project and revoke the Air Transport Licence previously granted to Nigeria Air by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). AON had also raised concerns about the transaction’s adviser firm at the time, alleging links to the Minister Sirika.
Furthermore, in June this year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission summoned the former minister for questioning, further fuelling suspicions surrounding the airline.
Additionally, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revealed that Nigeria Air had only reached the initial stage of a five-phase process required to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for commercial airline operations. Thereafter, local airlines had raised objections around the AOC issued to Nigeria Air.
Local airlines also opposed the new airline’s partnership with Ethiopian Airlines saying it could potentially impact domestic carriers negatively.
In June, Biodun Olujimi, the Chairman of the Senate Aviation Committee, questioned the rushed unveiling of the airline on the last day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
AON expressed confidence that the suspension would allow for thorough review and corrective actions.
Furthermore, AON believes that a reassessment of the airline’s partnership with Ethiopian Airlines could save the Nigerian aviation industry from being dominated by the external carrier.
“We have no doubt that the Aviation Minister has the right vision for the development of the sector, which is driven by public interest considerations for the good of Nigerians,” said a statement from AON.
