Sub-Saharan Africa
Sputnik brings you all the most recent information, major events, heroes and views, including breaking news, images, videos, analyses, and features.

Video: Nigeria Gets Own Airline, As First Plane Revs Up for Business

Three days prior to the end of its mandate, the outgoing administration in Nigeria has achieved one of its priorities: establishing a national air carrier. The first Boeing 737 displaying the words "Nigeria Air" landed Friday, May 26 at Abuja International Airport.
Sputnik
Nigeria has its own airline, Nigeria Air, whose creation was one of the priorities of the outgoing government since taking office in 2015. On May 26, a Boeing 737 Max, with the hull emblazoned with Nigeria Air, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika previously announced a plan to deliver two aircraft for the launch of the company.
The minister said the airline was a combined investment of Nigerian entrepreneurs and an Ethiopian consortium.

Launch date uncertain

According to an online Nigerian newspaper, the operation of local and international flights will begin soon.
However, a Francophone Pan-African economic news outlet reported that a court prohibited the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria from issuing an air operator certificate to the company essential for launching the activities of any airline.
Nigeria Air becomes the first Nigerian airline since the demise of Nigeria Airways in 2003.