The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has announced that the new national carrier is expected to commence operation by the first quarter of 2022.
Sirika disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
He explained that the new national carrier is long overdue and the private sector-run airline will be in operation by early 2022, with possibly cheaper rates.
He added that 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.
According to the Aviation Minister, the forced postponement of the planned date for the establishment of the National Carrier (which was initially planned for the end of 2021) was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ ALSO: Federal Government suspends national carrier, Nigeria Air indefinitely
He disclosed that the Ministry would return to the council in two weeks to submit a memo with an outline business case for council’s approval.