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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
In spite of lingering court cases, the Federal Government has insisted that the national carrier, Nigeria Air, will commence operation before May 29, 2023.
Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, gave the assurance during the National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023, on Thursday.
The minister described as unfair the action of the local airlines, adding that the Buhari had supported local airlines more than all previous governments.
“Those airlines are constituting a stumbling block to the actualisation of the national carrier which will impact new jobs and better opportunities in the industry,” he said.
The minister noted that the Nigerian Aviation industry is the only one in the world where qualified pilots are without jobs.
He said 50 pilots had come to him complaining about their unemployment status, adding that the national carrier should be able to employ more pilots and create other job opportunities.
“Ethiopian Airlines, the offered bidder for the national carrier is highly competent, and profitable enough to add value to the Nigerian aviation sector,” Sirika said.
