Ghana Airways, SAA to vie for Nigeria Airways alliance

ABUJA, July 18 (Reuters) - The choice of a partner for state carrier Nigeria Airways to operate direct flights to and from the United States has been narrowed down to Ghana Airways and South African Airways [SAA.UL], aviation authorities said on Tuesday.

Eleven carriers including Virgin Atlantic Airways and North Atlantic Airlines (OTC BB:NAAR.OB - news), had applied last month to operate direct flights from Lagos to New York following the end of a U.S. ban on airlinks with Nigeria.

``We assessed and evaluated 11 foreign airlines that bid for the joint venture operations for the New York-Lagos route and found the Ghana Airways and South African Airways as the most suitable,'' Zakari Haruna, head of the selection committee set up by the Aviation Ministry said while presenting the committee's report.

Haruna said the committee also recommended Evergreen International [EGI.UL] of the United States, as Nigeria Airways joint venture partner for cargo flights on the same route.

Last December, the United States ended a ban on direct air links with Nigeria after reporting security improvements at Lagos airport. Analysts said the real reason was the return to democracy there after 15 years of military rule.

The elected government of President Olusegun Obasanjo took office in May last year.

Aviation Minister Kema Chikwe said while receiving the committee's report, that the Nigerian government planned to resume flight to the United States on August 15, 2000.