Summary
- NG Eagle, Nigeria’s latest carrier, will operate flights between Abuja and Lagos, using wet-leased aircraft from Lithuania.
- The airline’s inaugural flight is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, and will probably be operated by an Airbus A320.
- NG Eagle goals to offer exceptional travel experiences with a deal with safety, comfort, reliability, and creating lasting connections for passengers.
Today, Nigeria and the West African region will see the primary flight of a brand new carrier, Nigerian Eagle (operating as NG Eagle). Fueled by its fleet of two wet-leased Airbus A320s and two Boeing 737-700s, this airline is trying to operate flights to and from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS).
A primary of many
NG Eagle will inaugurate its industrial services throughout Nigeria with a flight between Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) and Lagos on Sunday, December 10. In keeping with the NG Eagle website, the airline will employ an Airbus A320 to operate the inaugural service. Each of NG Eagle’s A320s are wet-leased from Lithuania’s Heston Airlines; nevertheless, Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) don’t allow airlines to start operations with wet-leased aircraft. The NCAA holds that airlines can only start operations with a Nigerian-registered (5N) aircraft.
Flight 2N-900 between Abuja and Lagos is scheduled to last one hour and fifteen minutes, with a planned departure time from Abuja of 10:00 and a scheduled arrival time in Lagos at 11:15.
On social media, NG Eagle posted ahead of its inaugural service, stating, “Join the Eagle because it Soars into the Sky. Catch our inaugural flight tomorrow from Abuja to Lagos.” Vanguard has also reported NG Eangle is slated to make its maiden flight on Sunday. In celebration of Sunday’s inaugural flight, NG Eagle Managing Director Captain A E Dare stated to Vanguard:
“The forthcoming inaugural flight of NG Eagle represents an incredible milestone for us, embodying our dedication to revolutionizing travel experiences while reflecting the wealthy values of the Naija Spirit. We’re thrilled to start this journey and offer passengers a unprecedented flying experience.”
Dare added:
“NG Eagle’s inaugural flight guarantees an exceptional travel experience characterised by safety, comfort, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to providing top-tier air travel experience. The airline’s meticulous preparations for the inaugural flight demonstrates a major step towards not merely transporting passengers but curating memorable journeys that forge lasting connections, hence, connecting hearts.”
The birth of an airline
In 2019, NG Eagle was first arrange by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a government agency arrange in 2010 to recuperate debts, to start passenger flights in 2021. Considered one of AMCON’s subsidiaries is Arik Air, a personal Nigerian carrier currently in receivership, which was acquired in February 2017 on account of mismanagement and significant debt. Despite receiving two Boeing 737-700s -operated previously by Arik Air- in February 2021, the airline has yet to take to the skies.
Photo: Mehdi Photos | Shutterstock
The airline received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the NCAA on September 21, 2021, which might expire three years later. Nevertheless, the NCAA prolonged NG Eagle’s AOC by six months on September 20, 2023, allowing the airline to start industrial operations. Earlier this yr, the Federal High Court in Lagos blocked an try and transfer assets from Arik Air to NG Eagle. Following the ruling, the NG Eagle was sold to Abdul Ahmad, who’s keen on the airline commencing operations.
Most recently, in mid-November, NG Eagle acquired two wet-leased Airbus A320s (LY-FJI and LY-WSM) from Lithuania’s Heston Airlines. Each planes were delivered branded with the NG Eagle livery because the airline hoped to start industrial service on December 1, 2023. Nevertheless, ten days later, NG Eagle will finally take to the skies for the primary time.
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