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•Says no plans to kill domestic operators …Denies taking money from FG to paint aircraft
From Chinelo Obogo, Addis Ababa
Amid controversy trailing the launch of Nigeria Air less than three weeks to the end former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the management of Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has spoken out for the first time, denying allegations of misconduct over the stalemated national carrier deal.
Speaking to aviation reporters in Addis Abba, the Ethiopian capital on Monday the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Air, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said the Ethiopian Airlines had no intention to set up any airline in Nigeria but that the Federal Government of Nigeria had sought ET’s support tto set up a strong national flag carrier.
On the backlash over the unveiling of an ET aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, as Nigeria Air two days to the end of former aviation minister’s tenure, Tasew denied allegations that the government paid ET billions to bring in a plane, saying it was the leadership of Nigeria Air that asked ET to bring an aircraft painted with Nigerian Air logo to facilitate the progress of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) to which it agreed to paint its aircraft in Nigerian logo and flew to Abuja for demonstration.
“In May of 2022, a request came from the Nigerian government, asking ET to participate in a bid and help the government to set up a Nigerian flag carrier. Initially, we didn’t want to go into that, we said we had initiatives in other countries and we were busy, but the Nigerian government insisted that ET is an African airline and it has to help it set up the national carrier. We had to respect the government and we couldn’t say we would not help.
We submitted a proposal and we received the letter from the then minister of aviation saying that ET has been selected to be a partner to set up Nigeria Air. We said okay and the Nigerian government wanted only five percent share to ensure that they have a presence in the airline.
“We had a lot of discussions and we agreed. While we were preparing the shareholder agreement, we heard that some companies in Nigeria including airlines started objecting to the establishment of the airline and defaming the name of the government and ET. At the time, we felt that if the government and the Nigerian people don’t want it, we could as well withdraw. But the Nigerian government insisted that it is a strategic issue for Nigeria and we have to continue. When these group of people went to court and brought a court order, we had to defend ourselves in court. Until now, it has not been decided in court. Nigeria Air was established before we were invited and had started processing the Air Operators Certificate (AOC), so, when we came in, it was a matter of restructuring the ownership.
“We thought that if Nigeria Air is established, the benefit would be for the Nigerian government because when we asked the Nigerian government why they want to set up a national carrier, they said that it is because they do not have dependable airlines within Nigeria and they needed an airline that is dependable, doesn’t cancel flights and doesn’t delay on the domestic and international market.
The leadership of Nigeria Air then asked us to bring an aircraft painted with Nigerian Air logo to facilitate the progress of the AOC, so we agreed and we took one of our aircraft, painted it with Nigerian logo and flew it to Abuja for demonstration. After two days, we brought back the aircraft and repainted it with Ethiopian logo.
“While we were waiting, a change of government took place and new ministers were appointed who told us that they want to temporarily suspend the project. I had to travel to Abuja to talk to the authorities. They told us that they are not cancelling the project, but that they want to take some time to study it and address the concerns of the public, afterwards, they would contact us. If the government wants to cancel the project, it is fine with us, if they want to continue it, they would have to sort the legal case out. We are still willing to support the government in starting the national carrier but we leave the decision to them. We have no issues and we wouldn’t be disappointed if it is cancelled. We are there just to help.
“Most of what has been said in the media about us is completely wrong. Our goal is not to kill Nigerian airlines. If we are to set up a carrier, it has to be strong and if these other airlines are not strong, they cannot compete and if they cannot compete, then some of them can go out of business. It is always like that in any business where there is competition. If there is a strong airline, it will force others to improve their services. We planned to set up an aviation academy and an MRO for the national carrier, so that through this, we would support the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria,” he said.
Following the decision of the Buhari administration to float a national carrier, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) dragged the Federal Government to court, listing Nigerian Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Sirika, and the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as defendants. Among other prayers, the airlines want the court to stop the national carrier deal and withdraw the Air Transport License already issued to Nigeria Air by the Federal Government/Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
