By Mose Patience Chat
Africa’s fastest-growing airline, Ethiopian Airlines has entered into a partnership with Nigerian Government to launch Nigeria Air, the country’s long-debated national carrier by October 2023.
The venture, established in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines Group and Nigerian institutional investors, aims to connect the country to both regional and international destinations.
This was revealed by Ethiopian Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mesfin Tasew, during a recent interview with Bloomberg TV. According to the CEO, Nigeria Air will initiate operations with a fleet comprising two wide-bodied planes and six narrow-bodied aircraft.
“We are eager to see the airline start flying and connecting the local market to the international market,” said Tasew.
The initial launch of Nigeria Air originally took place at the Farnborough International Airshow in London in 2018. However, the official inauguration took place much later in May 2023, orchestrated by the then Nigerian Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika. The launch, which involved a single aircraft, was conducted just two days before the end of Sirika’s term, leading to considerable nationwide discontent and controversy over ownership of the national airline.
The airline’s ownership structure reflects a diverse partnership, with Ethiopian Airlines holding a significant 49% stake, while the Government of Nigeria and Nigerian private investors, including SAHCO, MRS, and other institutional investors, hold five percent and 46% stakes, respectively.
Since its inception, Nigeria Air has been caught in controversy, facing legal battles and regulatory challenges. The uncertainty surrounding the airline has made its progress a subject of much public interest and scrutiny. Nonetheless, with the support of Ethiopian Airlines and a collaborative ownership structure, the airline now looks forward to overcoming past obstacles and establishing itself as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
Meanwhile, as Nigeria plans to launch her flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has also announced plans to increase and expand its flight schedule with its presence in the London market by launching nonstop services to London Gatwick Airport.
Starting from November 21, 2023, the airline will operate three weekly flights between Addis Ababa and London Gatwick using their modern A350-900 XWB aircraft, as observed by Aeroroutes. This strategic move marks Ethiopian Airlines’ return to Gatwick after serving the airport with a one-stop flight more than a decade ago. The new route aims to strengthen connectivity between Africa and the United Kingdom, while catering to growing travel demand in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to expand its service to London Gatwick comes as the carrier enhances its flight offerings to the UK. The new nonstop route will provide passengers with increased convenience and a more direct option for travel between Addis Ababa and London. Ethiopian Air will become Gatwick’s second sub-Saharan African operator, joining Air Mauritius, which will begin service on October 30.
As revealed by the Airlines CEO, the new nonstop service, flight ET718, will depart Addis Ababa at 00:15 and arrive at London Gatwick at 05:15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The return flight, ET719, will take off from London Gatwick at 10:10 and reach Addis Ababa at 20:40 on the same days.
The most important purpose of this new route is to facilitate seamless connections through Addis Ababa to several key African destinations, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lusaka, Kinshasa, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Entebbe, and Seychelles. It is also anticipated to stimulate point-to-point demand between Addis Ababa and London, contributing to the growth of Ethiopia as a hub for travel within the African continent.