Nigeria is to set up a national carrier, 10 years after the former one – Nigeria Airways – ceased operation, the local media reported Monday, quoting Aviation Minister Stella Oduah.
The minister said on a television programme that the government was fine-tuning the arrangements for the take-off of the airline, to be called ‘National One’.
Since the fold-up of the Nigeria Airways in 2003, several private airlines have sprung up in the country to fill the gap created by the former national carrier’s collapse.
They include Arik Air, the nation’s largest airline, Aero Contractors and Dana Air.
The Nigerian government’s previous arrangement with Virgin Atlantic to set up Virgin Nigeria as a replacement for Nigeria Airways lasted only a short while before the new airline also ceased operation.