Qatar Airways is reportedly in talks with the Nigerian government over the possibility of it participating in the country's tentative new national carrier, Nigerian Eagle. Quoting unnamed sources, Nigeria's Punch says the talks are at an advanced stage. “The government is discussing with Qatar Airways to become a major partner to establish the national carrier.

Although government is talking to a couple of foreign airlines, Qatar Airways seems to have been lined up among the carriers that could likely emerge a key partner to the government on the project. Of course, it will partner with Aero Contractors,” the source said. Abuja had also reportedly propositioned both Air France and Lufthansa, but both declined the offers.

Meanwhile, doubts have arisen over who will assume the near NGN67billion (USD500million) in debts owed by Nigerian Eagle's constituent carriers, Aero Contractors and Air Nigeria (VK, Lagos). Aero was taken over by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) in late 2012 while Air Nigeria has been inoperative since suspending flights in October 2012. Nigerian Eagle has unofficially acquired one aircraft, a B737-500, 5N-BLC (msn 26692), that has been surreptitiously parked at Lagos awaiting its official unveiling.
http://www.ch-aviation.ch/portal/news/23863-qatar-airways-in-talks-with-nigeria-over-partnership-in-new-carrier

Qatar Airways being a major partner in the Nigerian Eagle airline project, will be a major boost to its image. Obviously, if this proposition materializes, Nigerian Eagle may be barred from flying to Doha. Qatar airways flights from Nigeria to Doha would likely have some seats reserved for Nigerian Eagle passengers.

CFCfan: Qatar Airways being a major partner in the Nigerian Eagle airline project, will be a major boost to its image. Obviously, if this proposition materializes, Nigerian Eagle may be barred from flying to Doha. Qatar airways flights from Nigeria to Doha would likely have some seats reserved for Nigerian Eagle passengers.

Nigerians doin't go to Doha. Dubai is the reason why QatarAirways thrives in Nigeria! The way I see it, Qatar Airways would now be able to fly its passengers direct to Dubai which would Give Emirates a good run for its money. Emirates is currently the second largest carrier in Nigeria after British Airways running above half a billion in sales.

Sorry, am i supposed to make a comment?

PapaBrowne:

Nigerians doin't go to Doha. Dubai is the reason why QatarAirways thrives in Nigeria! The way I see it, Qatar Airways would now be able to fly its passengers direct to Dubai which would Give Emirates a good run for its money. Emirates is currently the second largest carrier in Nigeria after British Airways running above half a billion in sales.

There is a very slim chance of that happening. Unless Qatar airways has an Open-skies agreement with the UAE, they (QA) won't be allowed to launch direct flights into Dubai from Nigeria.

Apart from the open-skies issue, the Dubai Airports company (which is also owned by the Emirates parent company), may decide that it's not in the business interest of Emirates airlines to allow Qatar to launch direct flights from both Doha and Lagos into Dubai. The same commercial interest was also the main reason why the US Department of Transport refused to grant the defunct Virgin Nigeria access to US destinations.

The US DOT felt that Virgin Atlantic (who had 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria), would essentially be launching additional direct flights into the US, in breach of their allotted frequencies.

CFCfan: Qatar Airways being a major partner in the Nigerian Eagle airline project, will be a major boost to its image. Obviously, if this proposition materializes, Nigerian Eagle may be barred from flying to Doha. Qatar airways flights from Nigeria to Doha would likely have some seats reserved for Nigerian Eagle passengers.

Why do some of you comment out of ignorance? If QATAR AIR is to partner Nigeria to set up a career, why would you think it would be QATAR AIR airplane that would lift passengers from Nigeria? Why would you think Nigerian Eagle would be barred from Doha?

If at all the story is to believed, QATAR AIR would follow the same foot steps like when she took over Serbia air recently.