Emirates, Air Peace in agreement to link 13 Nigerian cities

Emirates, Air Peace in agreement to link 13 Nigerian cities

As part of a comprehensive Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Airlines and Air Peace have signed an interline pact.

According to experts, the  move  would   enhance  connectivity for passengers travelling between Nigeria and UAE.

The experts described the partnership as one of the major steps to drive collaboration between foreign carriers and indigenous operators.

Emirates Airlines said in  a statement yesterday that    the  partnership would expand  its  footprint to 13 new cities in Nigeria with frictionless single-ticket travel and simplified baggage throughput.

It explained  that travellers booked on flights from Dubai to Lagos can access more of Nigeria, with onward connections to Asaba, Akure, Benin  , Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna and Owerri.

The interline agreement will also benefit corporate travellers by  connecting them  to additional cities  like  , Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt and Warri.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer said:   This partnership with Air Peace is the next step on this journey, bolstering our connectivity and introducing more travel options for corporate leisure, and travellers visiting friends and family to and from Nigeria.’’

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 Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide,  said: ,”We are excited about this strategic interline partnership between Air Peace and Emirates, which is a significant step towards enhancing global connectivity for Nigerian travellers.

‘’ It aligns with our mission to provide seamless, world-class travel experiences while expanding our route network and international reach.

“This partnership also reinforces Nigeria’s aviation sector by enhancing connectivity, efficiency and positioning our country as a critical hub for regional and global travel.’’

Once the implementation begins, it would be easy for a traveller to book an Emirates’ international  flight from any of the 13 cities and be picked from the city by Air Peace to link up with Emirates Airline for the flight out of the country.

Nigeria and UAE are also set to commence a mutual air travel ties with the  signing of  an amended BASA between them.

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo  penned his name on behalf of Nigeria  and UAE’s Minister of Economy  Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri for his country.

The ceremony took place  at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in  Abu Dhabi.

 Key areas agreed by both countries  include expansion of codeshare agreements, capacity building and technical support, especially   safety, airport facilitation and security.

Keyamo, in  a statement yesterday  by  his Media Aide, Tunde Moshood, emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE  with a focus  on  interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.

The minister also advocated a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians. He  stressed that easing the current conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes and benefit both nations.

 Keyamo  reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement the agreement and ensure both countries  maximised  the economic and operational benefits of a strengthened partnership.

Emirates, Air Peace in agreement to link 13 Nigerian cities