BusinessDay’s checks have shown that Green Airways is not yet on the list of prospective operators seeking Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) as alleged by some publications late last year.
Sam Adurogboye, general manager, Public Affairs, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), told BusinessDay that from the AOC status listed by NCAA in its books, Green Airways is not part of them.
“You don’t have to have an AOC to buy planes. Some people can buy planes to be leasing out. AOCs are for people that want to go into operations. From the list, the airline currently been assessed for AOC is ‘Great Eagle Airways.’ It is possible that the company plans on becoming a leasing company to Nigerian airlines,”Adurogboye further disclosed.
However, on 21st of December, 2018, US plane maker Boeing said it had agreed deals worth an overall $9.3 billion to sell 50 jets to Nigeria’s Green Air and 30 to Saudi carrier flyadeal.
The company lauded the Nigeria accord, which includes a further 50 options, as the largest signed to date in Africa.
As with the Saudi deal, the Nigerians are purchasing single-aisle 737 MAX planes.
“While flyadeal has been operating new Airbus A320s, the airline says it has selected the 737 MAX for the future,” Boeing said in a statement.
The firm noted its first deliveries to Saudi Arabia were in 1945, as those DC-3 aircraft “gave birth to commercial air travel in the kingdom”.
Babawande Afolabi, Green Airways owner said the Nigerian end of the deal was a strong sign of growing African entrepreneurial dynamism and resilience.
Boeing saw that deal as a step towards construction of a “solid” Pan-African network, adding the Africa aviation sector has “exceptional” potential.
Since launching the 737 MAX Boeing said it has received more than 4,800 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide.
IFEOMA OKEKE
