Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, has stated that Nigeria Air will begin operations before May 29, 2023. Sirika stated at the 2023 National Aviation Stakeholders Meeting that the benefits of establishing a national carrier include reduced capital flight, optimal utilization of BASA and SAATM, and a developed aviation hub.
Other benefits he highlighted included increased aviation industry contribution to GDP, increased hospitality and tourism business, expansion and development in agriculture, and employment creation at agro-cargo facilities.
He stated that Nigeria has begun paying payments to foreign airlines whose ticket sales funds had been stalled due to dollar shortages.
