In a strategic move aligned with the imminent commencement of its Lekki airport construction, Lagos State is actively considering the establishment of a passenger airline as part of its comprehensive plan.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled this ambitious initiative during the Lagos West Senatorial District People’s Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, providing a glimpse into his administration’s progress in the district.
Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that this plan has been in development for several months, with the state currently in the final stages of refining the financing model for the project. Stressing the significance of federal government approval and operational contingency for the airline, the governor highlighted the substantial progress made in the venture.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, “Over the last five months, Mr. Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines.
“The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan.
He assured that the business plan is robust and financing is not a concern. While the conversation has advanced significantly, the governor emphasized the importance of gathering precise operational information before moving forward with the implementation of the plan.
Should this visionary plan materialize, Lagos would join the ranks of Akwa Ibom (Ibom Air) and Cross Rivers (Cally Air) as states with their airlines, marking a significant stride in the state’s aviation landscape.