Indications have emerged that Arik Air, a Nigerian airline operating domestic, regional and international flight network may have resumed preparations for its bidding for the flag carrier status in line with industry.

Industry sources disclosed at the weekend that one of the hurdles before the airline was the condition handed down by the immediate past minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka that the airline would be designated as a flag carrier should it sell its shares to the public, a measure aimed at ensuring that Nigeria had a strong airline with full government support to represent the country and end the present rip off Nigerians by foreign airlines.

It was also gathered that in adherence to this, Arik is already working with Goldman Sachs and Vetiva, an investment and financial advisory firm, which are working towards the airline going public next year, which would make the airline, divest its stakes to the public.

The plan to designate a flag carrier may be revived in response to the firm commitment of the present administration to establish a national airline to enhance the development of the aviation industry and for the country to benefit from over $2.5 billion air travel market in Nigeria which is predicted to hit $5 billion in next couple of years.

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Ministry of Aviation to quicken the modalities towards the establishment of a national carrier, hence the discussion with the nation’s largest carrier, Arik.

But many industry operators and analysts have agreed that for such national airline to succeed it must be private sector driven; therefore, the country would go for one or two flag carriers with full government support.

Industry operators said the federal government and Arik needed each other in the realisation of the project because it would be easy for government to establish a flag carrier with existing airline, but difficult to start an entirely new airline as national carrier; although the President’s commitment would make it realisable within a given time.