A brand new airline, NG Eagle being floated by the Asset Administration Company of Nigeria (AMCON) is but to acquire Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to begin operation as a result of one of many plane wanted to safe minimal variety of tools that will qualify it for certification isn’t prepared.
The plane, a Boeing B737-700 initially owned by Arik Air however taken by AMCON to NG Eagle is ready for livery change at Ethiopia Airways Upkeep, Restore and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Addis Ababa.
It was learnt that the plane has been within the MRO facility for weeks after a C- test (upkeep) had been performed on the plane.
When painted, the plane would now be able to be ferried to Nigeria to finish the method of acquiring AOC from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Knowledgeable supply from Arik Air instructed THISDAY that the plane could be leased to the beginning up airline, which is scheduled to begin operations earlier than the top of the fourth quarter of 2021.
The supply additionally stated that the delay within the completion of the transformation course of could be on account of funds, which the MRO is ready for AMCON to pay.
Nonetheless the MRO administration in Addis Ababa declined to touch upon the problem, however confirmed that other than the airline, different Nigerian carriers carry their plane for upkeep and repainting in its services.
Arik Air has been beneath the receivership of the Belongings Administration Company of Nigeria since February 2017.
A few of Arik Air’s plane have been rebranded within the colors of NG Eagle, as AMCON defined earlier that floating a brand new service could be a means it could recoup the massive money owed allegedly owed it by Arik Air.
The plane, which confirmed the brand of eagle emblazoned on its engine and painted in inexperienced color, was stated to have highlighted the seriousness of AMCON to begin a brand new airline from the fleet of Arik Air.
THISDAY learnt that AMCON was within the final stage of buying an Air Operators’ certificates from NCAA, which might make it begin scheduled providers.
Just lately, Director Normal of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu confirmed to aviation journalists that NG Eagle was among the many impending new airways at the moment present process AOC acquisition.
About two months in the past there have been expectations that the brand new airline would begin operation, however lack of minimal variety of plane has continued to delay it.