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Ethiopian Airlines CEO: Nigeria partnership politicized
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, has blamed politics for failing to establish a national airline for Nigeria.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, he said that Ethiopian Airlines aimed to help the Nigerian government create a profitable airline, but Nigerian Airlines politicized the process.
The Nigeria Air partnership, started by President Buhari’s administration and managed by Hadi Sirika, has caused significant controversy.
The current Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the deal would not benefit Nigeria.
This is the first time Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO has addressed the controversial deal since the new government halted it.
Did the Ethiopian Airlines CEO close the project?
In a Bloomberg interview, the Ethiopian Airlines CEO confirmed they closed the project to assist Nigeria in establishing an airline.
He said, “We had a great hope of establishing a very strong national carrier for Nigeria.
“We started but unfortunately it didn’t become successful after the change of government in Nigeria, but that project is closed now.
“We don’t have a current plan to go to Nigeria as it stands.
“We don’t have the intention to partner with any of the Nigerian airlines to date because it has been politicized.
“We tried to help the country by partnering with the government and other institutional investors in Nigeria to use our expertise.
“More also, our experience and establish a reliable airline that would be profitable in the short term.
“But as you may have read in the media, Nigerian airlines did not welcome it.
“They considered it in the wrong direction. They believed that if Ethiopian Airlines goes into Nigeria it will hurt their business; which is not right.
“Our intention was to help the country but since they objected to the idea, there is no need for Ethiopian Airlines to go there as long as they don’t accept it, we don’t want to be a problem there.”
Keyamo speaks on the partnership deal
After a November 2023 Federal Executive Council Meeting, Keyamo stated the deal would create an unfair monopoly for Ethiopian Airlines.
Keyamo said they have submitted reports on the matter to President Bola Tinubu, who will decide on the deal.
The minister stated, “I cannot preempt my President”, adding that “All the reports, everything, we have forwarded to Mr. President, the issues we met on the ground.”
A few weeks ago, the Federal High Court in Lagos ruled the sale of Nigerian Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines invalid.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the Federal Government should not proceed with establishing the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
The judge approved all reliefs requested by the plaintiffs, including the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five aviation members.
However, the judge denied their request for N2 billion in damages.
This was related to their exclusion and the unlawful bidding and selection processes for the Nigeria Air project.
About Nigerian Aviation
Nigerian aviation encompasses air travel, including airlines, airports, and regulatory bodies within Nigeria’s economic sector.
Here are some key points about Nigerian Aviation:
- Airlines: Nigeria hosts domestic airlines like Arik Air and Air Peace, plus international carriers including Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates.
- Airports: Major Nigerian airports are Murtala Muhammed in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe in Abuja, and Kotoka in Accra, Ghana.
- Regulation: The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the aviation sector. It ensures safety, enforces regulations, and manages air traffic control.
- Challenges: The sector faces challenges like outdated infrastructure, maintenance issues, and regulatory hurdles. There are also concerns about safety and service quality.
- Development: The Nigerian government and private investors are modernizing airports, expanding facilities, and improving services to boost the aviation sector.
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