The Nigerian government aims to launch a flag carrier, Nigeria Air, by the end of the year. Nigerian aviation minister Hadi Sirika said the nation is now seeking investors for the airline, as the government will own only a small percentage. Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways are among investors being courted, according to Bloomberg. A Nigerian national airline would fill a gap left since Air Nigeria, formed as a joint venture with Virgin Group, ceased operations in 2012. Africa's most populous nation since has relied largely on European and Gulf carriers for long-haul service. "I am confident that we will have a well-run national flag carrier, a global player, compliant to international safety standards, one which has customer at its heart," according to Sirika.