Recently, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah and a FAAN Director announced that the FG was in the process of setting up a new national carrier for the country. The proposed national carrier, unlike the defunct Nigeria Airways, would be 100% privately owned and managed. Therefore, it seems the govt would only make some initial investments i.e. acquiring planes and contributing initial take-off capital.

Does Nigeria need a national carrier? Should the present private airlines be instead designated as 'Flag carriers'? The floor is open.

Hon Minister is reffer to ARIC Air line

I largely agree with what this aviation expert said in this interview:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/-nigeria-s-market-cannot-support-more-than-three-large-airlines-/131016/

The flying culture in Nigeria is not yet as developed as even South Africa, let alone Europe or North America. Therefore 3,4 or 5 strong national airlines with a total of up to 100 routes amongst them is the way to go. Airline mergers is definitely the way to go, because the airline business is a capital-intensive one and as such, a one-man business isn't ideal.

I was shocked by the fact that a massive 95% of international traffic to and from Nigeria is controlled by foreign carriers. This readily explains a part of the reason why Arik Air and other local airlines are struggling financially. On the African continental level, about 70% of the air traffic to and from the continent is controlled by non-African carriers.