Boeing, Airbus in stiff fight to become preferred partner in Nigeria’s national air carrier
Though there had been no formal deal, indications are emerging on the possible partnership between Nigeria and either Boeing or Airbus in the establishment of new Nigerian Airways more than 30 years after the collapse of former pride of African skies, the Nigerian Airways.
Already, the Minister of State, Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika weekend tweeted on his handle that Boeing, has met with the Federal Government to discuss the setting up of a national carrier for Nigeria.
According to him in the tweet, the meeting with the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing was in furtherance of its resolve to establish “a new carrier soon.”
On his Twitter handle, @hadisirika, the minister stated that on Friday afternoon, “in my office, I met with the Boeing team in furtherance of our resolve to set up a new carrier soon.”
Business Hilights recalls that earlier in November last year; the Federal Government had announced that two major internationally renowned aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, had indicated interest in Nigeria’s national carrier.
Sirika averred then that “Boeing said they can’t wait to discuss their proposal for the Nigerian national carrier. Will sign a MoU at the IWAF (ICAO World Aviation Forum).”
However, in another tweet, he stated, “Airbus signified interest in our national carrier and our MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul). Will discuss further during the upcoming ICAO forum.”
Observers had noted that on several occasions, Sirika had announced the Federal Government’s determination to establish a national carrier as well as a facility for the MRO in order to reposition the country’s aviation sector.
Already, transaction advisers for the national carrier and the MRO had since been announced and unveiled by the Federal Government.
Besides, industry analysts had been arguing that the federal government may get it wrong going by the solo-way it has been going about the idea to set up a national carrier without any form of inputs from the private sector.
It would be recalled that no private stakeholder was named in the national Carrier Committee earlier inaugurated less than one month ago, an indication that the new carrier may be solely managed by the government just like the defunct Nigerian Airways.
