Nigeria, UAE seal flight rights deal ahead of Emirates return

Nigeria, UAE seal flight rights deal ahead of Emirates return

As Emirates prepares to resume its flight operations to Nigeria on October 1, the Nigerian government has successfully concluded negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ensure reciprocal flight rights for Nigerian airlines aiming to launch flights to UAE cities, particularly Dubai.

Despite an existing bilateral air service agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE, this new agreement on reciprocal rights will streamline the process for Nigerian carriers to operate flights to the Middle Eastern nation.

Before the UAE’s suspension of visa services for Nigerians, Air Peace was running direct flights to Dubai, and other Nigerian airlines were planning to introduce flights to the UAE.

However, before Emirates halted its operations to Nigeria, diplomatic tensions between the two countries had led to a reduction in Emirates’ flight frequencies from 21 to just one by the Nigerian government.

This decision was a reaction to UAE aviation authorities’ refusal to grant Air Peace the right to land at Dubai International Airport, the UAE’s top-tier airport.

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In an effort to prevent a repeat of these issues, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, led a delegation to the UAE to finalize negotiations ahead of Emirates’ return. The delegation engaged in detailed discussions with UAE officials, focusing on ensuring the smooth reintroduction of Emirates’ services to Nigeria.

The revised BASA agreement, a key part of the negotiations, aims to bolster cooperation between both nations and provide a framework for the evolving relationship in the aviation sector.

According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the talks resulted in a significant breakthrough.

He noted, “Crucially, the negotiations also yielded a significant agreement on reciprocal rights, ensuring that Nigerian airlines will soon have the opportunity to commence direct flight operations to the UAE. This marks a historic development for Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more options to travelers between the two nations.”

The Minister, expressing his satisfaction, said, “Today’s discussions reaffirm our commitment to fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership with the UAE. We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry. As Emirates returns to Nigeria, we look forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.”

The statement said that the return of Emirates and the new BASA would play a vital role in enhancing tourism, business exchanges, and cultural ties between Nigeria and the UAE, while also contributing to economic growth.

 

Nigeria, UAE seal flight rights deal ahead of Emirates return