A new domestic airline, Cardinal Airlines Limited, is set to start domestic and international operations soon in the country, African Business Travel News (ABTN) has learnt.
Our Correspondent gathered that the new airline would operate its flights with shorthaul aircraft such as embraers and ATRs for cost effectiveness on domestic and regional operations.
The application for its air transport licence, sources further revealed has reached advanced stage as the promoters are working round the clock to ensure that the airline resumes domestic operations before the end of the third quarter.
The Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Airlines,, Alhaji Masud Bashir who confirmed the development declared that Cardinal Airline will bring the cost of air travel to a reasonable level when it eventually starts its operations.
Alhaji Masud, a real estate guru, also stated that he was moved to go into the venture to bring succour to the Nigerian air travellers who have had to suffer untold hardships of coping with the astronomical fares currently charged by domestic airlines.
He disclosed that his airline will have its operational base in Abuja but will operate to all airports across the country adding that he was aiming to take off with four aircraft and later increase the fleet as operation progresses.
“It is unfortunate that the indigenous airlines are taking undue advantage of the prevailing insecurity in the country to exploit travellers with exorbitant fares,” he said, stressing that Cardinal Airlines will charge affordable air fares to encourage more Nigerians to travel by air.
