The Lagos Federal High Court has indefinitely stopped the establishment of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, that had been proposed by President Buhari’s administration.
Recall that in 2018, the Nigerian government had announced plans to establish an airline, with claims that it would not own more than 5% stake in the airline, leaving almost total control to private investors who are expected to invest $300 million into the new airline during its inception. The name and logo of the proposed airline: Nigeria Air were unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom in July 2018.
But a short while after its proposal in 2018, the government changed its mind and announced the suspension of the proposed airline.
In July 2019, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam had said that the airline was discussing and exploring possibilities to establish or support Nigeria Air.
But then, the registered trustees of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria, AON, such as Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airline Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited had filed a suit against the Nigerian government on the deal.
In his ruling, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa reordered the federal government and domestic airlines to keep the status quo in the suit relating to the establishment of the airline pending the determination of the suit.
This was after the Federal Ministry of Aviation had announced on Thursday, November 24 that it would deploy every step necessary, to revoke the order that had stopped the establishment of the national airline.
Justice Ambrose had also, ordered that the establishment of the national carrier should be stopped and adjourned the lawsuit till February 2023.
