Air Nigeria, originally Virgin Nigeria Airways, and then Nigerian Eagle Airlines, was the national flag carrier of Nigeria, which operated scheduled regional and domestic passenger services. The airline's base was Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, its head office was in Lagos Island, Lagos,"Registered Office ." Air Nigeria. Retrieved on 21 May 2012. "159/161 Broad Street, Marina Lagos Island Lagos, Nigeria." and its registered office was in Ikoyi, Lagos."AN Registered Offices." Air Nigeria. Retrieved on 28 June 2010. "Registered Office 188 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria. Head Office 9th Floor Etiebets Place 21, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria. "
The airline, which effectively replaced the defunct Nigeria Airways, was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Nigerian investors and Virgin Atlantic. Virgin withdrew from the business between 2008 and 2010. Following two name changes, Air Nigeria announced on 6 September 2012 that it had made its staff redundant and ceased operations on 10 September 2012.
History Origins
Nigerian institutional investors owned 51% of the company and Virgin Atlantic the remaining 49%. The airline's inaugural flight was on 28 June 2005 from Lagos to London Heathrow, using an Airbus A340-300.Airline briefs Australian Aviation issue 220 September 2005 page 24 Virgin Nigeria quickly became one of Nigeria's largest airlines, carrying its 1,000,000th passenger and 4,000th ton of freight within two years of operation. The airline also received accolades including THISDAY Awards 2006 Airline of the yearVirgin Nigeria wins 2006 Airline of the Year award., AllAfrica.com website, retrieved March 27, 2007 and a nomination for 2006 African Airline of the year by ASATA (Association of South African Travel Agents).Virgin Nigeria nominated for 2006 African Airline of the year , Association of South African Travel Agents website, retrieved 27 March 2007 Virgin Nigeria had plans to make Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja its second base, where, in addition to its Lagos base Murtala Muhammed International Airport, it would serve all countries in West Africa.Virgin Nigeria buys bevy of Embraer regional jets: AINonline
Sale of Virgin's stake and rebranding
On 19 August 2008, Virgin Atlantic announced that it was in talks to sell its 49 percent stake and reviewing whether it was appropriate that the Virgin brand should remain linked to Virgin Nigeria. This followed a dispute which arose after Virgin Nigeria's domestic operations were moved against its will by the Ministry of Transportation to Terminal 2. Virgin Nigeria had twice refused the directive to relocate its domestic operations from the international terminal, citing the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding it had signed with the previous (Olusegun Obasanjo) administration, and pending appeal in a Lagos High court, as reasons for not complying.
On 9 January 2009, Virgin Nigeria announced it would suspend all long haul flights to London Gatwick and Johannesburg, effective 27 January 2009.
On 17 September 2009, Virgin Nigeria announced on its website it had rebranded as Nigerian Eagle Airlines. Nigerian Eagle Airlines also stated that it planned to focus on domestic and regional flights with further expansion into Europe and eventually the United States of America. Virgin retained its 49% stake in the new Nigerian Eagle Airlines with the remaining 51% held by Kassy Olisakwe.
Rebranding as Air Nigeria, and cessation of operations On 2 June 2010, following the acquisition of a majority share in the airline, Jimoh Ibrahim, the new chairman, announced that the airline had undergone a further name change to Air Nigeria Development Limited, branded as Air Nigeria. On 13 June 2012, the carrier was grounded by regulators for safety checks.
On 6 September 2012 Air Nigeria announced that the management had fired its staff 'for being disloyal' and the airline ceased all its local, regional, and international operations. Operations ceased on 10 September 2012.
On 19 September 2018, the Nigerian government suspended the plans to launch Air Nigeria indefinitely. No concise reasons were given for the suspension.
Destinations
Codeshare agreements Delta Air Lines (SkyTeam) Kenya Airways (SkyTeam)Nigerian Eagle Airlines signs Codeshare with Kenya Airways
Fleet
Closing fleet The Air Nigeria fleet consisted of the following aircraft shortly before it ceased operations (as of April 2012):
+ Air Nigeria fleetAircraftIn fleetOn orderPassengersNote J Y TotalAirbus A330-2002—24244268Leased from EgyptAirBoeing 737-3008—16100116Boeing 737-4001—Embraer 190AR2—128496Total13—
Historic fleet Before rebranding, Virgin Nigeria had also operated the following aircraft:
+ Virgin Nigeria Airways past fleetAircraftTotalIntroducedRetiredNotesAirbus A320-200220052007Leased from BH AirAirbus A330-200320072007Leased from British Midland InternationalAirbus A340-300220052006Leased from Virgin AtlanticATR 42-500120082009Leased from Interstate AirlinesBoeing 737-300220052007Leased from GECASBoeing 767-300ER220072009Leased from SmartLynx AirlinesFokker 50120072008Leased from Denim Air
See also
Arik Air Nigeria Airways Airlines of Africa
References
External links