New Airline to Fly USA – Nigeria direct
 3rd OCT 2006

West Coast Air, a newly established airline owned by Nigerians has started raising capital for their operation of direct flights between Nigeria and the United States of America. This is in response to inadequate direct flights between the two countries to serve the substantial traffic of Nigerians on that route.

Addressing the press in Abuja, over the weekend, on preparations for the maiden flight in the months ahead, the leader of the investment delegation, Mr. Chris Agu, a retired U S Army Captain who had lived in the U S in the last 30 years said his group was returning home in response to President Olusegun Obasanjo's appeal for Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in the Nigerian economy.

According to him, an international airline owned and operated by a combination of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora was badly needed as he observed that all current airlines earning the entire income from Nigerians international travel were foreign and therefore the money they made was continually repatriated to the disadvantage of the Nigerian economy and her people.

“For example British Airways which fly in and out of Nigeria on a daily basis is not owned by Nigerians. When they make money from Nigerians, you know where the money goes.  Lufthansa is not owned by Nigerians, KLM is not owned by Nigerians, Virgin Atlantic is not owned by Nigerians. These airlines make money here and take it to develop their home countries.

Why can't we establish our own airline, make our money here and spend it here to make our nation a lot better.

He added that the  airline would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to avoid the long delay and embarrassment most African travelers to the United States , en route Europe suffer”, he said.
The airline anticipates flying in the very near months following successful capitalization drive for $50 million.

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