Mesfin Tasew, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines, has attributed the failed establishment of a national carrier in Nigeria to political interference.
Ethiopian Airlines had intended to collaborate with the Nigerian government to create a profitable airline, but the process was hindered by local airlines’ politicization of the partnership.
The proposed partnership, initiated during President Buhari’s administration and led by former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, aimed to launch Nigeria Air.
However, the current aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, had announced that the deal would not benefit Nigeria.
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In an interview with Bloomberg, Tasew stated that Ethiopian Airlines has abandoned plans to assist Nigeria in establishing a national carrier due to the politicization of the project.
He insisted that their intention was to provide expertise and experience to create a reliable and profitable airline, but Nigerian airlines opposed the idea, fearing it would harm their business.
Keyamo had also cited unfair agreements that would create a monopoly for Ethiopian Airlines.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Lagos had declared the sale of Nigerian Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines null and void, ordering that the proposed national carrier’s establishment be halted.
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