Virgin Nigeria
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| Founded | 2004 (as Virgin Nigeria) | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 28 June 2005 | ||||||
| Ceased operations | 10 September 2012 | ||||||
| Operating bases | Murtala Muhammed International Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Eagleflier | ||||||
| Fleet size | 12 | ||||||
| Destinations | 19 | ||||||
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| Headquarters | Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria | ||||||
| Key people | |||||||
Air Nigeria (originally Virgin Nigeria Airways, and then Nigerian Eagle Airlines), was the national flag carrier of Nigeria, which operated scheduled regional and domestic passenger services. The airline's base was Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, its head office was in Lagos Island, Lagos and the C&M building in Crawley, and its registered office was in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The airline, which effectively replaced the defunct Nigeria Airways, was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Nigerian investors and the Virgin Group. Virgin withdrew from the business during 2008-2010. Following two name changes, Air Nigeria announced on 6 September 2012 that it had fired employees and ceased operations on 10 September 2012.
On 28 September 2004, the Nigerian government and Virgin Group signed an agreement to establish a new airline for Nigeria, to be called Virgin Nigeria Airways. Nigerian institutional investors owned 51% of the company and Virgin Atlantic Airways the remaining 49%. The airline's inaugural flight was on 28 June 2005 from Lagos to London Heathrow, using an Airbus A340-300 aircraft. Virgin Nigeria quickly became one of Nigeria's largest airlines, carrying its 1,000,000th passenger and 4,000th ton of freight within two years of operation. The airline has also received accolades including THISDAY Awards 2006 Airline of the year and a nomination for 2006 African Airline of the year by ASATA (Association of South African Travel Agents). Virgin Nigeria had plans to make Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja its second base, where, in addition to its Lagos base Murtala Muhammed International Airport, it would serve all countries in West Africa.
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