A new Nigerian startup carrier, NG Eagle, has successfully conducted its inaugural commercial passenger flight with a wet-leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft.
According to flight history found on Flightradar24.com, the NG Eagle Airbus A320-200 jet, registered LY-WSM, completed a short 50-minute domestic flight (XLE900) between Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, Nigeria. To celebrate this flight, upon arrival in Lagos, the aircraft was welcomed with a water salute.
“The […] inaugural flight of NG Eagle represents an incredible milestone for us, embodying our dedication to revolutionizing travel experiences while reflecting the rich values of the Naija Spirit. We are thrilled to commence this journey and offer passengers an extraordinary flying experience,” NG Eagle’s Managing Director, Capt. Dare, told Nigerian media Vanguard a day prior to the event.
As a newcomer to Nigerian aviation, NG Eagle currently operates only a single active Airbus A320-200 aircraft, acquired through a wet-lease agreement with Lithuania-based charter carrier Heston Airlines, as indicated by the Planespotters.com registry. However, based on Nigerian media reports, the startup airline also has a second aircraft of the same type, registered LY-FJI, lined up for operations under the same wet-lease terms with Heston.
Established in 2019 by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to transfer assets of indebted Arik Air, NG Eagle was initially intended to commence passenger service with two former Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft in 2021. Nevertheless, the carrier failed to obtain its air operator’s certificate as planned. Only two years later, in early November 2023, when AMCON sold the airline to a new owner, Galactic Aviation, the carrier resumed its pursuit to receive the AOC.
