There are indications that the proposed National Carrier billed to commence operations this year may not happen, as the Federal High Court in Lagos has renewed its order directing the Federal Government and domestic airlines to maintain the status quo in their suit concerning the establishment of a proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.
Already, the proceedings have been adjourned till February 13, 2023.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made the order, pending the determination of the suit filed by the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, and five others in the aviation industry.
The four other plaintiffs are Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited and Topbrass Aviation Limited are the first to sixth plaintiffs.
The first to fourth defendants are Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, Sen. Hadi Sirika (Minister of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Aviation) and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Meanwhile, the court had earlier stopped the government of Nigeria from going on with its Nigeria Air agreement reached with Ethiopia Airlines.
The court granted an “order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from executing the proposed or draft agreement of the establishment of a national carrier between Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria”.
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, who granted the order on Friday, November 12, 2022, ruled that an Order of Maintenance of Status Quo by all the parties in the suit from taking any further step(s) in relation to the subject matter of the suit pending when the determination of the Motion on Notice is granted.
About eight domestic airlines sued the FG in court, listing Nigerian Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as defendants.
Among other prayers, the airlines want the court to stop the national carrier deal and withdraw the Air Transport Licence already issued to Nigeria Air by the Federal Government/Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Source: thewillnigeria.com