Everything You Should Know About Nigeria Air and How To Book Flight

This article will provide you with everything you need to know about Nigeria Air, how to book a flight, and contending issues surrounding the establishments and operation of the airway. It is also no doubt that airways and airlines contribute immensely to economic development as they generate economic growth, create jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism.

Many countries in the world have and operate or own a stake in a particular airline that serves as the flag bearer of the country, while other countries have instead chosen to have little to no stake but instead have allowed private companies and stakeholders to decide who runs and how the airline is run. Meanwhile, among the countries that have state-run airlines are the Peoples’s Republic of China, Ethiopia, India, and North Korea among many others that have complete control of such airlines. Well, Nigeria on the other has also had a share of the apple when the country boasted of having a 100% stake in the defunct Nigeria Airways.

Brief History of Nigeria Airways

Nigeria Airways which is now a defunct airline serving as the flag-bearer of the country was initially founded on 23 August 1958 after the previous West African Airways Corporation (WAAC) was dissolved. Initially, the Federal Government of Nigeria owned about 51% of the company with Elder Dempster Lines and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) holding the balance (32% and 16% respectively) before government pushes to buy all stakeholders out and make it a flag carrier of the country.

Meanwhile, after the dissolution of the previous West African Airways Corporation (WAAC), all the stakeholders involved decided to retain the title and name due to the prestige this company had previously earned over time. By 1971, the name was rebranded to Nigerian Airways. Additionally, Nigeria Airways consisted of about 30 aircraft in its fleet.

Although, the company had its golden years, completing flights to major cities in the world while receiving accolades and praise for having excellent service, little did they know that everything would change when mismanagement, corruption, and overstaffing caused the company to fold up when the reality started setting in in the 1980s. Also, one of the major reasons for the ramshackle and total demise of the company was the military coup d’état that took place on the last day of 1983 which forever changed the structure of the government and the airline.

Lastly, by the end of the late 1990s Nigerian government decided to privatize and sell 40% and 20% to foreign and local investors, respectively, while keeping the rest of the shares. From having over 30 aircraft in its fleet in the early years of operation, was reduced to just three by the end late end of the year 2000, also from having a cap number of passengers in the 70s and 80s, Nigeria Airways ended with just 10,000passendgwers in the first quarter of 2003 owning more than $700 million dollars. Likewise, it ceased operations in 2003 and was liquidated a year later in an attempt to revive the dead company, Virgin Nigeria succeeded Nigeria Airways.

Air Nigeria (Virgin Nigeria Airways)

Virgin Nigeria was actually founded in 2004 after the defunct Nigeria Airways to succeed the ramshackle company after the government privatize the company selling the shares to private entities with Nigerian institutional investors owning 51% of the company and Virgin Atlantic having the remaining 49%. The airline which took off from the defunct Nigeria Airway quickly rose to be don’t of the biggest in Nigeria completing several flight hours and was given several awards for completing such feats.

Although, Virgin Nigeria was doing fine until a dispute between the parent company Virgin Atlantic and the Nigerian government ensued when the Ministry of Transportation relocate its domestic operations from the international terminal against its will, citing there was an agreement with the previous administration and a case awaiting judgment.

Virgin Nigeria was rebranded on the 17th of September 2009 to Nigerian Eagle Airlines with a Nigerian National holding about 51% while Virgin retained its 49% stake. Additionally, another major rebrand occur when the majority shares were acquired once again on the 2nd of June 2010 by Jimoh Ibrahim, further changing its name from Nigerian Eagle Airline to Air Nigeria. After flying for about two years, the carrier was grounded by regulators for safety checks on June 13, 2012, and ceased to operate on September 10 of the same year.

Nigeria Air

Nigeria Air is a proposed airline, an attempt, and commitment by the government once again to start anew, maybe better this time around while making tough decisions to make this work this time around. The development was announced in 2018 when it was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, before the airline could even start operation it ceased operation less than a year after.

Recently, the Buhari administration which began the process decided to see to it again this time around investors will have full responsibilities owing more stake, while the government will not be having more than a 5% stake, well that is the agreement anyways so to allow effect running without interruption with government dictations.

Pending Issues Regarding Launch of Nigeria Air

Many have faulted the move by the Nigerian government to go ahead with its plan to launch Nigeria Air as planes were said to be delivered just 2 days before the present administration leaves office. It has been passive as an attempt to cover for loopholes even though the Minister of Aviation had revealed that a Nigeria Air aircraft is scheduled to land in the country on Friday which will actually mark a milestone in a bid to restore the sector back to its former glory.

Well, some of the issues surrounding Nigeria Air that needs to be resolved are listed below:

• Shareholding structure.
• 50-hour demonstration flights.
• Court related cases
• And other requirements by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

It is actually a question of whether Nigeria Air will begin operation immediately or if the requirement will be waived for it so as to correctly ascertain and settle all issues surrounding it.

How To Book Nigeria Air Flight

While the launch of Nigeria Air is not certain, given that some issues have to be resolved and requirements met, the government has however decided that the website name for Nigeria Air will be www.flynigeriaair.ng. Although there are websites with similar domain names, so be on the lookout. Once Nigeria Air is launched, the airline intends to provide services for approximately 40 domestic, regional, and sub-regional routes. Additionally, there are plans to expand its schedule by including 41 international routes.

Although Nigeria Air tickets have not been made available for online purchase yet, it is anticipated that travelers will soon have the option to conveniently book their flights online before the airline’s inaugural flights take off. Alternatively, you can utilize the flight price comparison from other airlines to ascertain what the range of the flight ticket will probably be. Once it is launched, you can easily book your flight from flynigeriaair.ng.

FAQs

What does Nigeria Air do?

Nigeria Air is the new airline, revived by the federal government, which is expected to begin flights before the 29th of May.

What is the new airline in Nigeria in 2023?

Nigeria Air is the newest airline in Nigeria that is set to launch by the 26th of May 2023.

How many planes does United Nigeria have?

United Nigeria Airlines has about 4 planes in its fleet with flight destinations to 9 different locations.

Which airline is proposed for Nigeria?

Nigeria Air is the proposed airline for Nigeria. The process had already begun in 2018 before it was paused 2 months after.

How much do pilots make per flight in Nigeria?

Generally, there is no given salary you can earn as high as N900,000 per flight depending on your experience and the number of hours logged you have flown.

Which is the biggest airline in Nigeria?

Air Peace is the biggest airline in Nigeria with a number of aircraft in their fleet.

What is the newest airline in Nigeria?

Nigeria Air is the newest airline in Nigeria having been initiated by the Nigerian government to serve as the flag carrier of the country with little involvement of the government in the running of the airline, it is expected to begin its commercial flight after meeting various requirements.

What is the Nigeria Air website?

The Nigeria Air website is flynigeriaair.ng, travellers will be able to book flights upon launch after the test flight.

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REFERENCE: wikipedia.org, dailytrust.com