The Senate has rejected a proposal to revive the defunct Nigeria Airways, urging the Federal Government to pursue the establishment of a viable national carrier instead.
The decision followed a motion by Senator Ned Nwoko, who called for the revival of the defunct airline during Tuesday's plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed the proposal, questioning the wisdom of bringing back an airline that had long ceased operations.
“We can't revive what is already dead. Did Nigerian Airways ever work?” Akpabio said.
While acknowledging the importance of having a Nigerian-owned airline, the Senate President recalled that Nigeria once operated a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft, expressing concern over the country's inability to sustain a functional national carrier.
He urged the Federal Government to focus on establishing a viable airline rather than revisiting what he described as a dead issue.
The debate also brought renewed attention to the Nigeria Air project unveiled in May 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The aircraft presented at the unveiling was reportedly a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane leased for a 72-hour display before being returned to Addis Ababa.
The Senate has rejected a proposal to revive the defunct Nigeria Airways, describing the idea as an attempt to bring back an airline that no longer exists, and urged the Federal Government to establish a viable national carrier.
The proposal, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, was dismissed during Tuesday's plenary, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning the feasibility of reviving the former national airline.
“We can't revive what is already dead. Did Nigerian Airways ever work?” Akpabio said.
He argued that Nigeria should focus on creating a functional national carrier rather than revisiting the defunct airline, recalling that the country once operated a fleet of nearly 40 aircraft.
The debate also drew attention to the controversial Nigeria Air project unveiled in May 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The aircraft displayed at the unveiling was reportedly a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane leased for 72 hours before being returned to Addis Ababa.
The Senate's position underscores the need for a fresh approach to establishing a Nigerian-owned airline capable of competing on international routes and easing air travel challenges.
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