The federal government will on July 19, 2018 unveil logo and name of the planned national carrier at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom,
This will be a significant step towards the realization of the national airline, which process has been on since the Buhari administration announced it would be the key achievement of his administration.
The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had earlier said that by December 19, the first five aircraft of the airline would be delivered.
This will kick off the operation of the national carrier, which would replace the defunct Nigeria Airways that was liquidated in 2003.
The unveiling of the airline logo and name in Farnborough Air Show is significant because that is the meeting place for aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, lessors (aircraft leasing companies) aviation consultants and marketers.
THISDAY learnt that the federal government would hold a high level discussion with aircraft manufacturers and lessors and major aircraft maintenance organizations as it plans to also establish a leasing company and aircraft maintenance facility.
Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the committee on the establishment of national carrier set up by the Minister and that of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) are billed to depart to the UK this weekend for the meeting.
The Minister had earlier insisted that the airline would be fully management by private concerns; although government would commit funds to its management.
In 2016 the federal government inaugurated Transaction Adviser to spell out modalities for the national carrier.
He said to deviate from the past and ensure the success of the airline, which he said would be profitable after three years, the Minister made it known that government would establish a leasing company from where the airline would source its aircraft.
Government also intends to establishment maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility so that the new airline would be maintaining its aircraft locally.
Although there were initial doubts about the realization of the national carrier in such short time but industry observers agree that the federal government has made firm commitment to the establishment of the national carrier.
Sirika had earlier noted that there is no doubt that the issue of national carrier for Nigeria is very close to the hearts of both the government and the people, which is the reason it has taken the option of a Public Private partnership with the belief that it was the only way to deliver a national carrier that would stand the test of time.”
Sirika also expressed satisfaction with the way the Transaction Advisers had carried out their assignments with utmost diligence and timeliness.
He assured that the national carrier would deliver world class operation and management, as industry experts noted that for Nigeria to compete at the international market and reverse the lopsided trade balance between international carriers and domestic airlines, the country needs a national airline.
In justifying the need for a national carrier for the country, an aviation consultant and the Chairman of Aso Savings, Ali Mohammed Magashi noted that a national airline was necessary because the airline sub-sector does not guarantee better returns on investment; yet it needs huge capital and that is why the private sector is not enthused in investing in airline business.
Magashi argued that because of the poor return on investment, the private sector may not be able to invest the quantum of funds needed for the sector, but considering the fact that aviation is a critical infrastructure, which facilitates the growth of other sectors of the economy as it provides the fastest movement from one place to another, conveying passengers and cargo, it is indispensable in the economic mix of any nation.
THISDAY
