Nigeria Air, a proposed joint venture between the Nigerian federal government and Ethiopian Airlines, was declared “null and void” by the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 5.
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and its members filed a lawsuit, concerned that the joint venture carrier would harm locally-owned airlines. The court ruled in their favor, canceling the project.
The plaintiffs requested damages for losses incurred from being excluded from the bidding process. They also sought to nullify the entire bidding process and Ethiopian Airlines’ selection as the preferred bidder.
Ethiopian Airlines, which was owed money by Nigeria’s aviation ministry for breaching contract terms, did not comment on the court’s decision. The project was suspended indefinitely by the new aviation minister, who alleged corruption charges against former officials involved in the project.
