August 04, (THEWILL) – The Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, has said Nigeria Air, the controversial national carrier launched at the tail end of the immediate-past Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, will commence flight operations in the next three months, precisely by October.
Ethiopian Airlines hold 49 percent stake of the Nigeria air carrier, the Federal Government of Nigeria, five percent, while SAHCO holds 15% stake and 31% by other investors.
Speaking during an interview on Bloomberg TV, Tasew said the airline will begin operation with two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft.
His words: “The airline will begin operation with two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft. We are eager to see the airline start flying and connecting the local market to the international market.
“Ethiopian Airlines will manage the operation. It is a proven model and the objective is to enable Nigeria to have a flag carrier.
“The prime objective is to enable Nigeria to have an air carrier. Ethiopian Airlines will have a management contract. Effectively, Ethiopian Airlines will manage the airline to be successful.
“We own a 49 percent stake in the airline, the Nigerian government, 5 percent together while other institutional investors own the rest.”
