National carrier a moribund idea, Tinubu shouldn’t revisit Nigeria Air – Allen Onyema

Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has advised President Bola Tinubu-led government to not go back to the idea of Nigeria Air. Onyema, who stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said a national carrier was a moribund idea jettisoned long ago, adding that Nigeria did not need one. Onyema said, “Nigeria […]

Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has advised President Bola Tinubu-led government to not go back to the idea of Nigeria Air.

Onyema, who stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said a national carrier was a moribund idea jettisoned long ago, adding that Nigeria did not need one.

Onyema said, “Nigeria needs to fix the infrastructure on the ground. The present MD of FAAN, Dr Kabiru, is doing a fantastic job. I called him and said that this is the problem we have. He now brought out a space at the Murtala Mohammed Airport and said Air Peace use this space. The transit will start by next week.

• Kano: NNPP, APC Sign Peace Accord ahead of Appeal Court ruling
• Adeleke Defies Court Order, Suspends Osun Chief Judge

“The present administration should not go back to the idea of Nigeria Air. When you are being patriotic, people accuse you of all sorts. Ibom is bringing about 10 brand new airbuses to 20. United Nigeria has made an order, too. Overland has received its brand new aircraft. Air Peace has ordered for 33 brand new planes.

“Why are we after a national career that will going to start with three aircraft? When we said our country was being deceived nobody believe us until the last minutes.

“The national carrier thing connotes government ownership. The government has no business doing the business of commercial airline operators. The national carrier is a moribund idea that has been jettisoned several decades ago by countries.”