Ethiopian Airlines Makes Fresh Comment on Nigeria Air Project with Nigerian Government

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that the Nigerian government has withdrawn its interest in the proposed Nigeria Air project.

This development comes two months after the Federal Government indefinitely suspended the project.

The announcement was made by Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Tasew said.

This revelation follows the indefinite suspension of the Nigeria Air project by the Federal Government on May 27.

Recall that Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had criticized the deal with Ethiopian Airlines, citing an unfavorable ownership structure that would compromise the growth of local businesses.

The Nigeria Air project was unveiled in 2023 by the Ministry of Aviation under former Minister Hadi Sirika, with Ethiopian Airlines holding a 49% equity stake, the Federal Government holding 5%, and a consortium of Nigerian investors holding 46%.