October 26 (THEWILL) – Ethiopian Airlines has said it never had the intention of setting up an airline in Nigeria, but was invited to do so by the Federal Government.
The airline made the clarification through its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mesfin Tasew, when he spoke with newsmen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday.
Tasew said the pedigree of the Ethiopian Airlines made Nigeria to invite it to set up a national carrier for the country. He explained that because of its engagements, it at first resisted the invitation, but later agreed due to its long relationship with Nigeria.
He emphasised that while the carrier and the Nigerian Government were preparing the shareholding, it received a message that some companies and airlines in Nigeria were defaming it and the government, and had gone to court to obtain an order stopping the establishment of Nigeria Air.
This, he said, prompted Ethiopian Airlines to want to withdraw, but the Nigerian government insisted that it should continue the process of establishing the national carrier for the country.
Tasew explained that until now, the airline had not decided whether to continue the process to establish Nigeria Air, but had received an assurance from the Federal Government that it would continue with the groundwork until the court vacates the order and it addressed some concerns.
“Ethiopian Airlines didn’t have any intention or plan to setup an airline in Nigeria. In May, of 2022, when I took my current responsibility (as Group CEO), a request came from the Nigerian government asking ET (Ethiopian Airlines) to participate in a bid and help the Nigerian government to setup a Nigerian flag carrier. It came in writing.
“Initially we didn’t want to go into that. We said we have other initiatives in other countries and we were busy. But, the Nigerian Government insisted that Ethiopian Airlines is an African airline, it has to help the Nigerian Government in setting up the national carrier. So, we had to respect them.
“We serve the Nigerian public and government by flying to four cities in Nigeria; we couldn’t say no, we cannot come and help you. So, we had to submit proposal, we had to respect the Nigerian Government. And we thought that the Nigerian Government had choices, ET being one; because they had also requested other airlines in the Middle East, Europe to participate in the bid”, he said
Tasew explained further that when the government requested for Ethiopian Airlines aircraft painted on the Nigeria Air logo for the inspection of Nigerians, it agreed, adding that the Nigerian Government had said it was to facilitate the progress of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for the national carrier.
The airline said it owns 49 percent stake in the Nigeria Air, while the Federal Government and other private investors from Nigeria owned 51 percent stake.
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