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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unequivocally stated that no local airline will be designated as the Nigerian national carrier, emphasizing that such a decision would be unfair to all other domestic carriers in operation.
During a recent statement on Wednesday, Keyamo revealed that his ministry is actively working towards establishing what he termed “a proper national carrier,” asserting his commitment to this endeavor.
“I will push for one (national carrier) and I am working on one. Let me say this publicly now, no local airline will be a national carrier, a flag carrier. So, whoever thinks I am working to promote one to be a flag carrier, I am saying it as a matter of policy, it will be unfair to all the local operators,” Keyamo emphasized.
Keyamo expressed that discussions with various international entities, including Arab, Chinese, and American stakeholders, are ongoing regarding the establishment of the national carrier.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the previous administration’s Nigeria Air initiative led by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, Keyamo criticized the deal, stating it was not in the nation’s best interest.
“There were better deals on the table, why did we settle for this or why are we trying to settle for this? We have better deals on the table. It was not a deal that was good for Nigeria,” Keyamo lamented.
The minister clarified that the Nigeria Air deal, which involved Ethiopian Airlines, did not align with the country’s objectives, emphasizing that it merely involved the foreign airline operating under the Nigerian flag.
Amidst concerns and speculations, Keyamo affirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is conducting an investigation into the controversial Nigeria Air deal.
