There are indications that Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, has transmuted to a national carrier and has changed its name to Nigerian Eagle and would unveil it on Sunday as national carrier by President Goodluck Jonathan on his return from the UK.
One of its aircraft, a Boeing 737-500 classic, painted with new livery and the new name, landed in Lagos at about 8:45 pm on Tuesday night and was secretly parked in a private fixed based operation (FBO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Informed sources told THISDAY on Wednesday, “There will not be Aero Contractors anymore. It is now Nigerian Eagle and it will be launched on Sunday by Mr. President. You will not see Aero anymore after the launch of this airline”.

This confirms THISDAY’s earlier report that Aero which the federal government owns 60 per cent of its stakes would become a national carrier, but the name Nigerian Eagle was not the earlier name government designated for the flag carrier; rather it was announced that it would be called Nigeria One.

Industry observers say that government might have decided to establish more than one national carrier or is using the Nigerian Eagle as a decoy or it has decided to change the name, Nigeria One.

About three years ago the defunct Air Nigeria earlier changed its name to Nigerian Eagle when it was under the management of Capt Dapo Olumide before it was taken over by Jimoh Ibrahim under whom the airline went under.

But Ministry sources denied that the Nigerian Eagle would become the national carrier, saying that the Nigerian number one airline was yet to berth, adding that the Nigerian Eagle aircraft would be used as publicity plane for Super Eagles for the coming World Cup that would be hosted in Brazil next year.

“If it is going to be the national carrier we would have heard about it in the Ministry. I doubt that because we just held a crucial meeting on the planned national carrier. This one is a publicity plane for the Super Eagle that just qualified for the world cup,” the source told THISDAY.

Recently the federal government acquired 60 per cent interest in Aero through Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), while the Ibru family has 40 per cent stakes.

As a national carrier, the Nigerian Eagle is expected to enjoy preferential rights or privileges accorded by the federal government for international operations.

It would hold some lucrative routes in monopoly, negotiate commercial agreements, pools and bilaterals with foreign airlines, articulate manpower training for the sector and serve as diplomatic tool for Nigeria.

Nigerian Eagle would easily codeshare with other international airlines as this would improve Nigeria’s ability to take advantage of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) it signs with other countries.

A national carrier would up the competition in scheduled air services, as the new airline would be the toast of many passengers because of its symbolic value as the national airline of Nigeria.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/national-carrier-aero-changes-name-to-nigerian-eagle/164959/

eshey. Thank you

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DK Jaleel: eshey. Thank you

Adupe

Is dt d only name dey could come up wif ... Nigerian Eagle ko Nigerian Eaglets ni.. Na for mouth onli

Changing the name to even dragon does not improve its flight capabilities so why bother? Just saying nitemi o

This President is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria, just take a look at all his achievements.
God bless President Jonathan.
God bless aviation Minister Stella Odua.
God punish all enemies of progress and enemies of Nigerian President.

changing of name does not matter what we really need is change in mentality from negative to positive attitude

The publicity plane idea for the super eagle sounds more like it. Changing of names to me does not augur well. I'd have even preferred we revert back to Nigerian Airways with same old logo of a flying elephant. Alternatively we can just continue using the aero brand and save money on rebranding. They could do well to take the new carrier to the stock exchange.

Whoever came out with that name needs to rethink.

otokx: The publicity plane idea for the super eagle sounds more like it. Changing of names to me does not augur well. I'd have even preferred we revert back to Nigerian Airways with same old logo of a flying elephant. Alternatively we can just continue using the aero brand and save money on rebranding. They could do well to take the new carrier to the stock exchange.

I concur

This rubbish will go the way of all others that has come before it, the nigerian government is cursed to fail in buisness. If not for shell and other partners, nigeria LNG would have been history. Meanwhile NNPC cannot account for a majority of nigeria's share of NLNG profit. We've seen this movie before and it's not gonna end well.

Personally, I think 'Nigeria one' sounds better

Will they still sell dry bread and hot coke on board ? Ugly name sha

The end of Aero's impeccable safety run ..Anything Nig Govt touches must die

Symphony007: This rubbish will go the way of all others that has come before it, the nigerian government is cursed to fail in buisness. If not for shell and other partners, nigeria LNG would have been history. Meanwhile NNPC cannot account for a majority of nigeria's share of NLNG profit. We've seen this movie before and it's not gonna end well.

Sorry this National Carrier is not owned by govt..100% private with strong support by the FG

awodman:
Sorry this National Carrier is not owned by govt..100% private with strong support by the FG

did'nt you read in the article where it is said the government owns 60% of the new airline?

Symphony007: did'nt you read in the article where it is said the government owns 60% of the new airline?

Didn't see that..anyway let's wait till the final unveiling