In a major setback to the launch of Nigeria Air, a Federal High Court in Lagos barred the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from issuing Nigeria Air an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). The order prohibits any further steps from being taken regarding the launch of the carrier.
Nigeria Air received its Air Transport License (ATL) from the NCAA last year and it was expected to resume commercial operations this year. However, a group of Nigerian airlines took to court and brought a temporary order to suspend the establishment of Nigeria Air.
Nigerian carriers like Azman Air, Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines have come together through the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to prevent the partnership between the Nigerian government and Ethiopian Airlines. They do not want the Federal Government to sell its 49% stake to a foreign operator.
In a recent letter written by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmed, lawyer, AON to the NCAA he stressed the authorities to discontinue with the deal.
"You are therefore notified to desist from dealing with the Minister/the Ministry of Aviation and/ or their agents, privies, or representatives, pertaining to the Air Operator Certificate, the subject matter of the suit, to avoid consequences of disobedience of court orders. As a law-abiding regulatory agency, you are under the watchful eyes of the world, and it is in your interest to desist from any further action on the AOC process that will ridicule the integrity of the Agency before the local media as well as the global aviation community,” the letter read.
The outgoing government of Nigeria, along with the Minister of Civil Aviation Hadi Sirika planned to launch Nigeria Air before the end of their term. On February 25, Nigeria's presidential election were held to elect a new government, which will take over on May 29. The Minister was confident of launching the flag carrier before the end of his term as the court case was the only hurdle in otherwise smooth deal.
Nigeria Air would be a joint venture between Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and the Nigerian government with Ethiopian Airlines owning a 49% stake in the airline, while the government owning 5% stake. Independent Nigerian entrepreneurs and companies would own the rest.