note
Flag carrier of Nigeria, founded as part of West African Airways Corp. in 1946. When Nigeria became independent country in 1958 Nigeria Airways separated from WAAC. Airline, when established, was owned by government of Nigeria which held controling interest, BOAC (16%) and Elder Demster (30%). BOAC provided Nigeria Airways first aircraft Bristol Britannias. In March 1961 government took control of outstanding shares and year later first jet service was introduced when De Havilland Comets commenced flights to London in April 1962. Airline also used Vickers VC-10s which intered fleet in 1969, but were soon replaced with Boeing 707s. First Boeing 707 was delivered in 1971 and first wide body aircraft, a DC-10, was introudced in October 1976. First Airbus, an A310, was delivereid in 1983. Airline traditionaly served London, Paris, Rome and Frankfurt in Europe, New York and Middle East as well as dense domestic service and most of West Africa. It also served cities as far as Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, Caracas and Moscow. International flights were operated from Lagos, Kano and Port Harcout. Nigeria airways was earning bad reputation by late 1980s. Airline decided to change its traditional logo of flying elephant to soaring eagle. Elephant became target of many jokes as it is rather clumsy animal that does not fly, but new logo did not help reverse Nigeria Airways fortunes. Financial turmoil forced airline to shut down in 2003 as most of its fleet became impounded or unserviseable. Airline was badly managed and it has been alleged that Nigeria's ruling elite looted its assets. Virgin Atlantic came to an agreement with the Nigeria's government to form Virgin Nigeria Airways that replaced the national carrier. Some assets were also transfered to Arik Air.
founded - demised (age)
June 1958 - 2003 (45)
headquarters
Murtala Airport, PMB 1024, Lagos
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
