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One of the World's Largest Countries May Finally Get Its Own Airline 

July 19, 2018
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3 min read
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One of the World's Largest Countries May Finally Get Its Own Airline 
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Almost 15 years after Nigeria Airways collapsed, the country looks like it will be getting a new airline.

Nigeria announced at the Farnborough airshow that it would be relaunching a new airline, known as Nigeria Air. The most populated country in Africa has been without a national carrier since 2003.

The future branding and livery was unveiled by Nigerian Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika at the airshow. Sirika says it will be operating by December 2018, an aggressive date since the carrier doesn't have a single aircraft or investor.

Assistant to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, was at the announcement and tweeted out a few images of the presentation.

Ahmad claims the airline will be flying Boeing 737 Max Aircraft by December 2018.

Nigeria isn't great at running airlines. It ran Nigeria Airways into the ground and hasn't had a flag carrier since. Air Nigeria and Virgin Nigeria couldn't find a way to operate profitably in the years after, and both ceased operations following just a few years of flying.

Arik Air is currently the largest carrier in Nigeria currently but doesn't fly outside of Africa. The country is connected to the US by Delta, which flies nonstop from Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK) to Lagos (LOS). Most of the large European and Middle Eastern carries like Air France, British Airways, Etihad and Qatar link the country to other parts of the world.

Fortunately, the government of Africa's largest economy will be hands off with this project.

"The Nigerian Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier," Sirika said. "The government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. Nigeria Air is a business and not a social service. It is not intended to kill any airline in Nigeria but complement and promote it.

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It still has quite a few hurdles to cross before its up and running, the first being money. The airline is currently without investors and only just received approval to start looking for them.

Sirika said that the upstart is in talks with Boeing and Airbus and will be announcing deals very soon — although its already released mockups of widebody Airbus A330s and single-aisle Boeing 737MAXs.

The airline has selected 81 possible routes, although Sirika didn't get into many specifics. It plans for 40 domestic and regional routes and 41 international flights — some of which could reach China and India.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.