Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, has said that Arik Air as presently constituted is not qualified as national carrier.
Sirika, on Wednesday, told State House correspondents after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja.
Mr Sirika said: “Arik, as presently constituted, is not in line with the thinking of the ministry. It will not be able to give us that airline that we need.
“However, Arik as an entity, since it is private-sector driven, can either buy shares in the new ventures. Or invest in any manner in the business as presently approved.
“The carrier that I intend to bring is such a carrier that will support the national economy. With $450m GDP for 200m people, very equipped to compete favourably.
“We are not saying once we have a national carrier, every other airline goes down. No. It is our duty to continue to support businesses.”