Airlines Voice Concerns Over Lack Of Operating License For Nigeria Air

Airlines Voice Concerns Over Lack Of Operating License For Nigeria Air

Airline Operators Association Raises Alarm About Nigeria Air’s Absence of Airline Operator’s Certificate

The Airline Operators of Nigeria has brought to light a crucial issue regarding Nigeria Air, the proposed national carrier, stating that the airline might face significant delays in commencing operations due to the absence of an Airline Operator’s Certificate (AOC).

According to Prof Obiora Okonkwo, the spokesperson for the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Nigeria Air lacks a valid Air Operator’s Certificate, which is an essential requirement for airlines to initiate operations.

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In a conversation with The Punch in Abuja on Monday, Okonkwo highlighted that if Nigeria Air were to embark on its operational journey in October 2023 as anticipated, it would be doing so without a valid AOC.

Okonkwo emphasized that the process for obtaining an AOC for Nigeria Air is still at an early stage, expressing his reluctance to invest further effort in the matter.

He commented, “The AOC is still on stage one. I don’t want to waste my time on that thing anymore. If they are starting in October, they are going to be operating without AOC.”

In a related development, Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, shared insights during an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday.

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Tasew revealed that Nigeria Air is slated to commence operations by October. He expressed enthusiasm for witnessing Nigeria Air take flight on both local and international routes.

The history of Nigeria Air has been marred by controversy, particularly during the final stages of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.