“We are not merely changing the name of our airline, but we are trying to create a brand that will remain in the minds of people even without the name of the airline stated,” announced Dapo Olumide, chief executive officer for the new Nigerian Eagle Airlines.
According to Mr. Olumide, the reason for the rebranding is to promote the rich African culture and to change the mindset of its staff from what they are used to, which they inherited from Virgin Atlantic, a shareholder in the airline’s assets.
“If you look around the world now, you will see that it is fashionable to be African,” he said. “Though people say Africa is a forgotten continent, the culture of Africa is inspiring to people in Asia, Europe and America. The richness of our colours fascinates and captivates the imagination of foreigners, and we stumbled across the fact that the same particular colours are found in all African countries.”
He also said that eagles could be found in all African countries and represented something in every African culture.
“It (eagle) symbolises strength in some countries,” Mr. Olumide said, adding, “some worship the eagle, and others have one thing which is peculiar about the eagle. So we decided to run with the eagle, and we picked an eagle in flight.”
According to the airline chief, the “five fashionable African colours (yellow, red, green, black and white)” which are also found in the Nigerian Coat of Arm, were chosen by the airline for its logo.
“After combining all these, we came up with the name Nigerian Eagle Airlines, and the logo showing the rebranded Virgin Nigeria,” he said.