The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muktar Usman has stated that the controversy surrounding the proposed national carrier project died down because most Nigerian people are beginning to understand and key into the project.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Capt. Usman who assured that the project was ongoing, adding that the government was working round the clock for a successful take-off.

Usman stated that the Nigeria Air project arrangements would continue until it is delivered to the people, stressing that even though people are now quiet about it, it does not mean that the project has stopped.

On the role of Transaction Advisers, Usman said, “It is a process, the process is ongoing and it is transparent as people can see, it is to get the best for Nigeria. Nigerians has been yearning for the gaps created by the lack of having strong and viable carrier that would mean the demands and potentials of both the domestic market, the regional market and the International market”.

He assured that the December take-off date is very feasible, adding that NCAA will deliver on the two major certificates, the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and the Aircraft Operators Certificate (AOC), all things being equal is 90 days.

According to him, “We still have more than 90 days to the end of the year, so, it is still feasible, all things being equal, am just talking from the regulatory point of view”.

Recalled that in July, the Federal Government, through the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, revealed the branding and livery for a new national flag carrier, Nigeria Air, to be launched in December.

During the launch at the Farnborough Air Show in London, United Kingdom, Sirika said, “We are all fully committed to fulfilling the campaign promise made by our President, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015. We are aiming to launch Nigeria Air by the end of this year”.