Nigeria Air project suspended, Lagos airport old terminal to close on Oct 1

Starting from October 1, 2023, all international airlines that operate from Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport will be required to relocate from the existing old international terminal building. This move is necessitated by the need for repairs to be carried out on the old terminal building. Instead, these airlines will shift operations to the new terminal building.

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, made this announcement on Thursday during an inspection tour of the aviation facilities at the Lagos airport. Additionally, Keyamo expressed a commitment to introducing reforms within the aviation sector.

He further explained that all initiatives initiated by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, including the plans for “Nigeria Air,” have been temporarily suspended. This hiatus is intended to facilitate a thorough audit of existing contracts. Keyamo emphasized his dedication to prioritizing aviation safety.

During the same inspection, the minister also conducted a bus tour to assess the airport’s perimeter fence. This underscores his focus on ensuring overall safety and security in aviation operations.

In earlier developments, in June, Girma Wake, a seasoned aviator, resigned from his position as the Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines. His decision came amid controversies surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, “Nigeria Air.”

In response to inquiries, Capt Dapo Olumide, the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, clarified that the aircraft utilized for the unveiling of Nigeria’s national carrier was a legitimately chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines. Furthermore, Olumide affirmed that the aircraft had been returned to Ethiopian Airlines following its use for the unveiling event, which took place on the final day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in May.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation in Nigeria have openly labeled the launch of “Nigeria Air” as a fraudulent endeavor.