The Airline Operators of Nigeria has indicated that the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, might face delays in commencing operations due to the absence of an Airline Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
Prof Obiora Okonkwo, the spokesperson for the Airline Operators of Nigeria, stated that even if Nigeria Air were to launch its operations in October 2023, it would be doing so without a valid AOC.
Okonkwo emphasized that the AOC process was still at its initial stage, expressing his frustration and reluctance to dwell on the matter any longer.
Contrastingly, Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, conveyed in an interview with Bloomberg TV that Nigerian Air was expected to commence operations by October.
Tasew expressed eagerness for Nigeria Air to initiate flights on both local and international routes.
Nigeria Air has been embroiled in controversy, particularly during the final stages of former President Muhammedu Buhari’s administration.
However, it encountered an obstacle in progressing to phase two of the AOC process in June 2023, as stated in a letter from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Furthermore, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, who also serves as the chairman of United Nigeria Airline, emphasized that any action contradicting a court order would constitute a clear violation of the law.
He expressed confidence that the court would take the necessary steps to address the matter.
He stressed that their stance on Nigeria Air was clear, and their priority was addressing the more pressing challenges faced by the aviation industry.
