Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer, shed light on the East African airline’s role in the establishment of Nigeria Air, stating that the airline nearly pulled out but that the government insisted on carrying out the process.
Ethiopian Airlines’ leadership is speaking out for the first time about the airline crisis that plagued the previous government’s final hours.
Senator Hadi Sirika, a former aviation minister, launched the airline on May 27. However, it was later discovered that an ET aircraft had been used for a demonstration flight, which was in violation of the rules governing the formation of a new airline. As a result, the airline was never launch.
According to Crediblenews, the Airline Operators of Nigeria , AON, sued the Federal Government over the selection of Ethiopian Airlines as the preferred bidders to oversee the process.
However, in an interview with some Nigerian journalists in Addis Abeba, the CEO of the East African carrier stated that the East African carrier had no plans to establish an airline in Nigeria, but was invited by the federal government to partner with it to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air.
It also stated that the federal government requested that Ethiopian Airlines aircraft be painted with the Nigeria Air logo for Nigerians to inspect, and the airline agreed.
“At one point, the leadership of Nigeria Air, which does not include Ethiopian Airlines, asked us to bring aircraft painted with the Nigerian logo to expedite the Air Operators’ Certificate process.”
So, we agreed to that, and we took one of our aircraft, painted it with the Nigerian logo, and flew it for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority , NCAA , to inspect. So, after two days, we returned the plane, repainted it with the Ethiopian logo, and it is now flying. So, while we were here waiting for the court’s decision, there was a change of government.”
He stated that the airline initially refused the invitation to establish the airline but later agreed due to long relationship it has with Nigeria where it operates to four cities.
He stated that while Ethiopian Airlines and the Nigerian government were preparing the shareholding, they received notification that some companies and airlines in Nigeria were defaming Ethiopian Airlines and the federal government and had gone to court and obtained a court order to halt the establishment of Nigeria Air.
This prompted Ethiopian Airlines to withdraw, but the Nigerian government insisted on continuing the process of establishing the national carrier for Africa’s most populous country.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer stated that the airline has not decided whether to continue the process of establishing Nigeria Air, but the federal government stated that it should continue with the groundwork until the court vacates the order, and it addressed some concerns, insisting that the project was not cancelled.
Tasew emphasized that Nigeria Air had already been established when Ethiopian Airlines was invited to join forces with it.
He also stated that if the national carrier is established, Nigerians will greatly benefit because the federal government has stated that Nigeria lacks reliable airlines in both domestic and international markets.
Tasew stated, “Ethiopian Airlines had no intention or plan to establish an airline in Nigeria.” When I assumed my current responsibilities as Group CEO in May 2022, the Nigerian government asked ET , Ethiopian Airlines, to participate in a bid and assist the Nigerian government in establishing a Nigerian flag carrier. It arrived in writing.
“At first, we didn’t want to get into that. We explained that we had other projects in other countries and that we were very busy. However, the Nigerian government insisted that because Ethiopian Airlines is an African airline, it must assist the Nigerian government in establishing the national carrier. As a result, we had to respect them. We serve the Nigerian people and government by flying to four cities in the country; we couldn’t say no, we couldn’t come and help you. So we had to submit a proposal and show respect for the Nigerian government.
“And we thought the Nigerian government had options, ET being one of them, because they had also requested participation in the bid from other airlines in the Middle East and Europe.” I’m not sure if they participated or not.
We submitted our proposal, and we received a letter from the Ministry of Aviation stating that Ethiopian Airlines had been chosen as a partner in the airline’s formation.
“The Nigerian government then wanted the structure of investors to be Nigerian investing institutions, and the Nigerian government wanted only 5% shares to ensure their presence in the airline and to facilitate the airline’s establishment.” We had many discussions, we came to some conclusions, but we disagreed on some points.
‘How Nigerian Airlines, firms started defaming Ethiopian Government, Airline’
And while we were preparing the shareholder agreement, we learned that some Nigerian companies, including airlines, were defaming and objecting to the airline’s establishment, as well as defaming the government and Ethiopian Airlines. At the time, we reasoned that if the Nigerian government and public did not want it, we might as well withdraw.
“However, the Nigerian government insisted that no, this is a strategic issue for Nigeria, and we must proceed.” When this group of people went to court and obtained a court order, we had to defend ourselves and appear in court alongside the Nigerian government, including the Ministry of Transport.
“We had no choice but to defend ourselves.” So, as far as we know, it is still under consideration by the court. However, the Nigerian government insisted that we continue the background work until the court case was resolved.
“Nigeria Air was established before we were invited; it was already established by the Nigerian government.” It has its own leadership, and it was doing a lot of things, such as requesting the Air Operators’ Certificate , AOC, and making plans.
So, when we arrived, it was a matter of restructuring Nigeria Air’s ownership. For your information, the logo was created by them, not Ethiopian Airlines. And we believed that establishing Nigeria Air would benefit both the Nigerian public and the Nigerian government.
“Because, as we discussed with the Nigerian government, why do you want to establish a new airline?” They stated that there are no dependable airlines in Nigeria and that they desired an airline that can provide dependable service that departs and arrives on time; that does not cancel flights on both the domestic and international markets.
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The Nigerian government believes that foreign airline fares are so high that the Nigerian public is disadvantaged. So the Nigerian government intended to establish a very, very strong, reliable, and dependable national carrier that serves both the domestic and international markets. And we believe in it, which is why we wanted to proceed.”
Tasew stated that the federal government promised to reach a decision and that Ethiopian Airlines agreed.
“First and foremost, it was not our initiative; it was the government’s initiative.” If the government wishes to cancel the project, that is fine with us. We have no issues. If the government requires us to proceed with the project, the government must resolve the legal matter in court. Otherwise, we are ready to assist the Nigerian government in establishing a national carrier. As a result, we defer to the Nigerian government.
“Breaking news on ethiopian airlinesWe have no objections and will not be disappointed if it is canceled. We are only here to assist. And we are fine if the parties ask us to assist them, change their minds, or change their strategy. This is what we told the Minister: we respect any decision made by the Nigerian government.”
‘We have no intention of putting Nigerian airlines out of business.’
“But in our opinion, what has been said in the media is completely wrong. If we go there, our goal is not to kill Nigerian airlines, absolutely not. We have no intention of killing Nigerian airlines. Definitely we have to set up a reliable airline, we have to provide the service that fits the needs of the Nigerian public. In fact, they have to be strong. If these airlines cannot be strong, they cannot compete. If they cannot compete, then some of them can go out of business. It is not peculiar to air transport business, in any business where there is competition. The stronger ones will grow, the weak ones will get dwarfed.
“So, a strong airline will force the other airlines to revisit their efficiency. To revisit their operation, to provide more dependable service from which at the end of the day the Nigerian pubic will benefit. So, they said if Ethiopian Airlines comes, it will kill us, no. We have no intention of killing them but to provide good service. And some say no, they will come with all their old aircraft, no; that is wrong. We will come with good young airplanes.
“It may not just be brand new but airplanes like the (Boeing 737) MAX. In fact, hoping that the airline will materialize, we had signed lease agreement from Canada to lease three 737 MAX, which are one and half years old. They are brand new aircraft. Now, Nigeria said no we don’t need it,” he said
