Air Nigeria used to be the flag carrier of Nigeria between 2004 and 2012. It was founded by the Virgin Group on September 28, 2004. It was originally called Virgin Nigeria Airways. The first flight happened on June 28, 2005. The name was changed to Nigerian Eagle Airlines in 2009. It started a frequent-flyer program called Eagleflier. The Virgin Group sold the airline in 2010 to the NICON Group. The name was finally changed to Air Nigeria in 2010. Air Nigeria's flying license was taken away on June 13, 2012. The airline shut down on September 12, 2012. There were plans to restart the airline in 2015.