With so many reactions trailing the recent announcement of Ethiopian Airlines as core investor and partner to the national carrier, Nigeria Air,Many Nigerians have been reacting to the confirmation by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, that the federal government has selected Ethiopian Airlines as the core investor and technical partner of the new national carrier, Nigeria Air Limited.
“No further FGN funding will be provided above the five per cent share capital of the next national carrier of Nigeria, which was provided to launch Nigeria Air.” The Ministry of Aviation earlier said that it would take in three aircraft on wet lease, which means that the company that leased the aircraft to Nigeria Air would provide the crew and take care of maintenance, but the minister explained during the press conference that it would be dry lease, which means that Nigeria Air would provide the crew and maintain the aircraft.
Ranked number one airline in Africa, Ethiopian management has always believed that for Nigeria to reap the benefits of its huge traffic, which is still growing; it needs a national carrier, which would streamline development in the aviation industry. An airline with government stakes would have training programme to develop future pilots, engineers, marshallers and others without looking at the immediate cost; just as the defunct Nigeria Airways was doing.