The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that the name of the proposed new National Carrier is Nigeria Air.
This is how #NigeriaAir B737 Max will look like in the sky when it commences operations in December 2018. #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/YWyyklAzqU
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 18, 2018
The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, made this known while unveiling the airline to investors at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show in UK.
The colour is green white green, while the logo is Eagle.
[FROM FARNBOROUGH WITH LOVE]#NigeriaAir … Bringing Nigeria closer to the world 👏👏👏#NigeriaAtFarnborough @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo @bukolasaraki @YakubDogara @ChibuikeAmaechi @hadisirika @abikedabiri @akandeoj @GarShehu @NigeriaAirways @FAAN_Official pic.twitter.com/JZsO0hwIuv
— APC United Kingdom (@APCUKingdom) July 18, 2018
A statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, indicated that Sirika, announced that the country was finally on track to inaugurating the national flag carrier to commence operations before the end of the year.
He said the need to get the national carrier was in fulfillment of the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians in 2015 to give the country a befitting national airline.
The minister expressed confidence that Nigeria would have a well-run national flag carrier that would be a global player, compliant to international safety standards and customers’ oriented.
According to him, the government hope to establish an airline that communicates the essence of our beautiful country, an airline we can all be proud of.
“Following the extensive market research, the branding of our new airline, Nigeria Air, demonstrates a true flag carrier of our nation, soaring through the skies in the shape of our nation’s eagle.
“The Nigerian Government will support the launch of the new flag carrier with viability gap funding, in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to deliver a national flag carrier.
“It will be guided by the international ICAO standards, that will stand the IOSA audit from the start, and lead to a fast IATA membership for international operation.”
Sirika assured Nigerians and the international community that government had learnt a lot of lessons from the experience of the defunct Nigeria Airways, and now determined not to repeat the mistakes that led to its demise.
This, he said, informed the decision to take the Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach.
He explained that the unveiling of the airline at the Farnborough International Airshow was due to the fact that it was the largest congregation of global aviation industry players.
The minister said the event gave the best opportunity to market the airline to prospective investors and register it in the minds of all stakeholders ahead of its formal launch billed to take place in Abuja soon.
“The branding and naming of the new national carrier comes on the background of a social media campaign.
The campaign was undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) which invited Nigerian youths for their input and creativity to come up with a name for the new Nigerian flag carrier.
The Facebook page and websitenameyourairlinenigeria engaged over 400,000 people up until the deadline for submissions, which was on June 25. (NAN)
We live at @FIAFarnborough #NigeriaAtFarnborough. I’m sitting next to Captain Bob Hayes OON, the first Nigerian certified pilot (1955), long-time Nigeria Airways pilot, and one time Acting MD. One of Arik’s Airbus A340-500 planes was named after him in 2008. pic.twitter.com/zjKt7aN9hI
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) July 18, 2018
Let me give you the video.
It made me proud as a Nigerian.#NigeriaAir #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/ZjmnApOU1k
— Kay Soyemi (Esq.) (@KaySoyemiEsq) July 18, 2018
18/07/18. #NigeriaAir Name and Logo unveiled, by @hadisirika. Looking forward to take-off! #NigeriaAtFarnborough pic.twitter.com/HXB4L5NMLP
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) July 18, 2018
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