Nigeria Air To Begin Operations Before May 29 – Sirika.

By Helen Udoh, Abuja.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika revealed that the new national carrier, Nigeria Air will commence operations before May 29, 2023.

He stated that, the National carrier will contribute to the GDP; facilitate hospitality and tourism; facilitate growth and development of the Nigerian Agricultural Sector and create jobs around the Agro-Cargo Terminals.

He made this known to newsmen at the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Forum on Thursday In Abuja.

He said ,the benefits Nigeria stands to derive from the establishment of the national carrier are reduced capital flight from Nigeria,gain the optimal benefit of BASA and SAATM and develop an aviation hub.

“Negotiation meeting with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria is ongoing. He said.

“With the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the Aviation sectors contribution from the current 0.6% to 5% (approximately $14.166 billion).
“Fast track the upgrade and development of new infrastructure/facilities at the airports; generate additional non-aeronautical source of revenue to the Aviation Industry; and to harness the social-economic benefits derivable from Civil Aviation,” He stressed.

“To attract world class international and local Airlines/Companies into the Nigeria Aviation Industry;attract investment incentives which include; Investment Policies and Protection, General Tax Based Incentives, Sector Specific Incentives, Tariff Based Incentives and Export Incentives.He said.

“Others are attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and generate employment opportunities and human capital development, thus stimulating the overall improvement of the Nigerian Aviation Industry; improve the overall ease of doing business in Nigeria which is in line with Federal Government’s commitments towards national economic development.He said.