Nigeria Air is a proposed airline and flag carrier in Nigeria. The new airline was announced at the Farnborough Air Show, in the UK, in 2018. Initially, operations were due to commence in December 2018. However, just two months later, in September 2018, Nigeria's Federal Government announced that Nigeria Air had been suspended.
Before suspending the project, the Nigerian government had announced it would invest US$5 million in the new airline and said that the investment would be intended as a business, not social, venture.
Nigeria Air received its first Boeing 737-800 in May 2023 and was expected to begin operations shortly after this, however, due to opposition from other domestic airlines and issues in getting its Air Operator's Certificate, the launch was delayed.
The airline's parent company, Ethiopian Airlines, announced that Nigeria Air will begin operations in October 2023.
Nigeria Air is aiming to serve just over 80 destinations across Nigeria and surrounding countries. Nigeria has bilateral air service agreements with 70 countries however only 30 are operating at the moment, heavily limiting Nigeria Air's reach and potential.
Here are Alternative Airlines who fly similar routes to Nigeria Air:
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Murtala Muhammed International Airport is situated in Ikeja, Nigeria. It is named after Murtala Muhammed, the fourth military ruler of Nigeria. Opening in 1979, the airport has 2 terminals and 2 runways, serving over 30 airlines including Air Peace, Arik Air, Ibom Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors, among others. From this airport, there are over 60 destinations available to fly to.
The airport is also a hub for Aero Contractors, Arik Air and Azman Air, among others.
The government of Nigeria is in negotiations with Airbus and Boeing to provide a fleet for Nigeria Air. In August 2023, Ethiopian Airlines announced that the new airline would have a fleet of 8 aircraft, out of which 6 of them would be narrowbody and the other 2 being widebody.