Ethiopian Airlines declares its leaving Nigeria Air project

The Nigerian government has reportedly expressed no interest in launching the planned Nigeria Air joint venture, according to Ethiopian Airlines.

 Mesfin Tasew, the Group CEO, provided this clarification over the weekend while in Dubai.

 Ethiopian Tribune, a well-known Ethiopian media source, made the announcement

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

This announcement by Ethiopian Airlines comes barely two months after the Federal Government indefinitely suspended the Nigeria Air project.

In May 2024, during the ministerial briefing marking the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the indefinite suspension of the Nigeria Air project.

Keyamo had previously criticized the deal with Ethiopian Airlines as unfair to Nigerian airlines, stating it would be irresponsible for the Federal Government to allow a foreign entity to monopolize Nigeria’s aviation industry, thereby compromising the growth of local businesses.