TUE, JUNE 06 2023-theGBJournal |The Chairman of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, Tuesday declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud after key stakeholders denied knowlegde of the launch of the carrier.
Recall that in May 26, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika performed what he termed the unveiling ceremony of the carrier at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and announced that 30 aircrafts are expected to form the fleet of Nigeria Air in the next five years.
But all that has now been disputed as a hogwash by the House Committee on Aviation after the Federal Government and the Ethiopian Airlines denied knowledge of the launch.
Ethiopian Airlines holds a 49% stake in the Nigeria Air.
The Committee dismissed the claimed launch as an attempt to divert their attention when they learnt, shockingly too, from Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) that the aircraft bearing Nigerian colours was a chartered flight to Nigeria.
Controversy had also trailed commencement date of the airline after revelation that the Ministry was awaiting approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for a grant of an Air Transport License for Nigeria Air Limited to operate scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services within the airport.
The Hadi Sirika led Ministry of Aviation spent over N18 billion on the Nigeria Air project.
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