New national carrier to take off first quarter of 2022 – Sirika

Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, says the new national carrier will commence operation in the first quarter of 2022.

Sirika disclosed this while addressing state house correspondents after the weekly federal executive council meeting in Abuja.

He said the new national carrier is long overdue and the private sector-run airline will be in operation by early 2022, with possibly cheaper rates.

Sirika said the new national carrier is expected to be a viable airline and is potentially poised to cater to millions of travelers in Nigeria and Africa.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic the forced postponement of the planned date for the establishment of the national carrier initially planned for the end of 2021.

Sirika further added that the Ministry will return to the council in two weeks to submit a memo with an outline business case for council’s approval.