The Federal Government has stated that the technical partners for the new national carrier were yet undecided , as the bidding process , among others, were still ongoing .
The disclosure was in response to a report that one of the bidders , Ethiopian Airlines ( ET ) was in the lead to win the bid .
The Deputy Director , Media and Public Affairs , Ministry of State for Aviation , James Odaudu faulted the claim by the ET’s Chief Executive , Tewolde GebreMariam that the airline was the favourite to establish and manage the new ‘ Nigeria Air ‘.Odaudu said even if ET had tendered an offer to be partner , it is misleading for the chief executive to claim the lead.
According to him , discussions are ongoing with prospective partners and investors ranging from development finance institutions , airlines and Original Equipment Manufacturers ( OEMs ) .
He added that the discussions were not limited to the establishment of a national carrier, as there were other components of the Aviation Roadmap that need investors .
“I don’t know about ET or any other prospective investor being favourites or frontrunners to establish and manage Nigeria Air ,” Odaudu said . GebreMariam had stressed that ET was in the frontrunner among a small group with an interest in establishing a national carrier in Nigeria .
