Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has commended the decision of the Federal Government to suspend the Nigeria Air project, saying it was a step in the right direction.
In a statement on Friday, spokesman for the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said the action of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo had displayed rare courage and great patriotism to save Nigeria from further embarrassment in the aviation world.
The minister on Thursday, said all activities of Nigeria Air and Airport Concession were suspended until he briefed President Bola Tinubu about them.
Okonkwo, who is also the Chairman of United Airline, said it was evident to everyone who had followed developments around the Nigeria Air project under the immediate past administration that the idea was ill-thought and lacked any modicum of transparency.
“It was, therefore, no surprise that the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation which investigated the process and purported launch of Nigeria Air on Friday, June 2, 2023, described it as a fraud
“It remains a puzzle to Nigerians why the processes of actualising such a major national project was shrouded in almost utter secrecy until the end of the last government.
“However, we remain confident that by suspending the Nigeria Air project to allow for a thorough review, the new aviation minister will put things right and help restore Nigeria’s image in the global aviation family.
“AON continues to believe that it is not right to float a national carrier on the terms set out by the immediate past aviation minister.
“This is because the process will undermine, even destroy, the aviation sector in Nigeria with Ethiopian Airlines waiting on the wings for total takeover,” he said.
Okonkwo said the airlines had no doubt that the new aviation minister had the right vision for the development of the sector which was driven by public interest considerations for the good of Nigerians.
He reiterated AON’s commendation to the minister for the great leadership he had shown early in his tenure and pledged their unalloyed support in his quest to reform the aviation sector.
