Nigeria Air, the proposed national carrier will commence with the wet lease of three aircraft from most likely Europe, Capt. Tilmann Gabriel, the Transaction Adviser on national Carrier, has said.
He gave the indication on Thursday in Abuja at a press briefing organized by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika to provide more context on the proposed national carrier recall the Minister had given April 2022 as the date Nigeria Air will take to the sky after a failed attempt in 2018. The national carrier in 2018 was unveiled at the Farnborough Aviation show, United Kingdom.
He explained that as an expert who has been a part of many start-up airlines across the world said it is the easier and cost-effective way to start an airline. He also said it is global best practice and even in Nigeria, some airlines have started airlines with leased aircraft.
Capt. Gabriel further explained that the leasing option is the best option now because with COVID-19, leasing companies have aircraft and crew idle and Nigeria will get a good bargain at this time.
He said the conversations with lessors in Europe has begun. “We are taking to leasing companies but at the same time, we are ordering for new aircraft,” he said.
With the wet lease, the lessor will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. This will also reduce the rigour of certifications that come with unregistered.
He also said the wet lease will provide an opportunity for Nigerian professionals to be trained ahead of the new aircraft acquisition.
Also speaking at the press briefing, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika said Nigeria Air will start with domestic operations, before moving unto regional operations and long haul or intercontinental flights.
He also said the AOC certification has been applied at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) but centrally to speculations, the process didn’t start now.
He said the process to the buildup of the certification started over three years ago and Nigeria Air is at the verge of getting its certification from the NCAA.
He said based on the quantum of work that has gone into the planning, the April 2022 timeline set for the delivery of the airline is feasible but the airline managers may decide to launch earlier or delay it a bit.
He however noted that based on global conventions, airlines are best launched between March and October.
He reiterated that leasing is the best option now and there are good deals on the ground. He also said Nigerian aviation professionals will be given priority in employment.
“Everything about this airline had been thought through. The next stage of the National Carrier is to get the Aircraft for a demonstration flight. But all the process that will lead to that has happened. April.is feasible but the airline owners can choose their best time. It could be earlier or a bit later. But there are basically two times to start an airline, either in between March and October” he stated.
