Emirates airline offers to assist Nigeria establish national carrier

Abiola Seun

Emirates Airlines has offered to partner the federal government in its bid to establish a national carrier.

In a press statement by the Special Assistant, Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, James Oduadu, the President of Emirates, Tim Clark, while speaking during a panel session moderated by Richard Quest to discuss the future of Aviation at the Dubai Expo 2020, said the organization would be very happy to help if any assistance was required in starting the national carrier.

According to Clark who was speaking in support of the position of Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, the establishment of a national carrier is an almost compelling case for Nigeria, going by certain indices.

“Of course, Nigeria needs a National Airline. There is an enormous business case for the national carrier.

” Nigerians are seeking to travel all over the world. Nigeria is a power house of Africa. We are very interested in flying there because it is a rich nation in terms of demand for services,” Clark had said.

However, the Minister of Aviation said the offer by Emirates cannot be anything other than an endorsement of the need, the zeal, and the process for the national carrier project.

The minister stated further that the offer of help is also an expression of confidence of the international aviation community in the commitment of the Buhari government to it.

The Minister also sees the offer as an encouragement to the many bidders currently preparing their PPP bids for Nigeria Air in response to the recently advertised Request for Proposal.

The process for the acquisition of the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and the Air Transport License (ATL) is well on course for the expected launch date of the airline, which Senator Sirika has assured, Nigerians will be proud of.

As has been repeatedly stated, the whole process for the establishment of the national Carrier, and indeed, all the projects under the Administration’s Aviation Roadmap, has been guided by the principles of transparency and accountability and this will remain till the final delivery of the project.