The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned against the launch of Nigeria Air, the proposed national airline of Nigeria which has been faced with controversies, while the airline faces a case that is currently in court to stop its launch.
The AON said in a statement: “We have noted with dismay the comments by the outgoing Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, to the effect that he will commence operations of Nigeria Air before Monday, May 29, 2023. He equally stated that an aircraft in Nigeria Air colours is on its way to Nigeria in less than 24hours. All of these statements and actions are in flagrant disobedience of the orders of the Federal High Court of Nigeria which halted the said moves by the minister to float the said airline until the determination of the substantive suit brought by AON against it.”
It continued: “For the avoidance of doubt, AON welcomes the establishment of more airlines in Nigeria for we believe that the skies are big enough to accommodate all. However, AON is against any contraption that is shadowy and not in the best overall interest of the country. We need the outgoing Minister to come forward, defend and counter the very damning submissions in our suit.”
The AON said launching the airline would be a violation of court order and may create challenges for the in-coming government. “The Aviation Minister is aware of the different court orders against him and Nigeria Air. He should be aware that he is courting a charge of contempt of court as he is not above the law and can not freely disregard the courts.”
Furthermore, AON stated: “AON is also aware, like the Minister and promoters of Nigeria Air, that the process of acquiring Airline Operators Certificate (AOC) for Nigeria Air is only at the Stage one, contrary to his televised statement that the Nigerian Air AOC process was at the concluding Stage five. The world is watching the regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on this Nigeria Air and its AOC process.”
“The government should understand that the actions and pronouncements of this Minister is not only impugning on the independence and integrity of the NCAA, but also capable of bringing the entire industry into disrepute thereby adversely affecting the ratings of Nigeria’s airlines on the global stage.
“The minister cannot order these certification processes by fiat. Therefore, an aircraft flying into Nigeria and bearing Nigerian colours does not change anything,” AON stated.
A Nigeria Air aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 26, 2023 believed to be part of the process of the launch of the airline. The Minister of Aviation had recently promised that the aircraft for the new airline will fly into Nigeria by May 26, 2023, though there is a case in court challenging the process of setting up the airline. The Minister said the launch of Nigeria Air is for the benefit of Nigerians.
