Nigeria Air MD reveals launched aircraft by Buhari administration not owned by Nigeria, hired from Ethiopia

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Air, Captain Dayo Olumide, appearing before the Senate Committee on Aviation investigating the Nigeria Air, revealed that the Nigeria Aircraft launched by the administration of former President Muhamadu Buhari was “a chattered aircraft from Ethiopia hired for few days to show case the logo” to Nigerians and their shareholders. The Airline was launched a day to the ending of the Buhari administration.
Captain Olumide disclosed that the aircraft that came and departed was a legitimate chartered flight which can be done by anyone who doesn’t have a license as long as you pay for it. He stated that for Nigeria to operate an aircraft, the aircraft must be Nigeria registered.
The Nigeria Air Managing Director further disclosed that the particular aircraft that was unveiled was not registered and came into Nigeria with a few days clearance from Ethiopia and was returned after use.
Olumide also revealed that Nigeria only has airport license which is one of two licenses required for operating an airline and does not permit one to carry out commercial services operations.
He emphasized that for Nigeria Air to get the needed license, Nigeria must have three air crafts before the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority will give the country air license to fly and the three air crafts must be Nigeria registered air crafts.
The MD stated: “there are five phases or steps one goes through to get the license and Nigeria is still in phase one of the process.”
Captain Olumide maintained that “Nigeria is not at a point of operating the airline yet, as Nigeria Air does not have terminal for international operations.”
The MD also debunked reports that passengers bought tickets for the flight, revealing that the passengers on board the aircraft were staff of Ethiopia airline that were brought in, adding that at the end of the unveiling, they went back with their aircraft to Ethiopia.

• AIT News