(Ecofin Agency) - Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday said it is in talks to take over the management of Nigeria-based Arik Air.

According to Ethiopian Airlines' head for international services Esayas Woldemariam, the negotiation is a sequel to request by Nigeria's aviation ministry. “We definitely are willing and able to take over the management of Arik Air.”

Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa's largest airlines. The takeover is expected to give the airline a major presence in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and one of the continent's top economies, according to Associated Press.

It should be recalled that Nigerian government took over Arik Air, the country’s largest airline, in February after it declared heavy losses which resulted in the company being unable to pay workers and creditors for months and left at least eight of its aircraft grounded.

Anita Fatunji