Nigerian Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika announced on September 23 that the new airline Nigeria Air has started operations with six Boeing 737 aircraft and an initial capital of US$300 million.

At a press briefing, Hadi Sirika said, "Nigeria Air will have an initial capital of $300 million. We will initially bring in six Boeing 737s, and between the third and fourth year, the airline will be able to acquire up to 30 aircraft. He confirmed the information published last week by the local media.

The minister said that the consortium led by Ethiopian Airlines was declared the winner of the tender for the selection of a strategic partner for the new national airline. "Nigeria Air is a limited liability company in which the government will have no involvement," the minister added. Meanwhile, the official launch of Nigeria Air, which was one of President Muhammadu Buhari's campaign promises in 2015, is scheduled for June 2023.