- Minister Festus Keyamo announced that Nigerian airlines can now fly to any airport in the UAE under a revised air service agreement
- The return of Emirates Airlines is expected to create competition on the Nigeria-UAE route, potentially lowering fares for travellers
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced that Nigerian airlines can fly to any airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the revised Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
This follows the resumption of Emirates Airlines’ operations in Nigeria after a two-year suspension.
Speaking at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) upon his arrival on an Emirates flight, Keyamo emphasized that the renewed flight services would greatly benefit Nigerians.
Emirates resumed its operations on October 1, 2024, following the resolution of issues surrounding the airline’s trapped funds in Nigeria.
Keyamo confirmed that Nigerian airlines now have reciprocal rights to fly to any UAE city, especially Dubai, under the new BASA arrangement. “Our agreement allows UAE and Nigerian airlines to fly to any destination in each other’s countries,” he said.
The minister also highlighted that Emirates’ return would create healthy competition on the Nigeria-UAE route, leading to more competitive prices for travellers.
He noted that some airlines raised fares when Emirates suspended flights, but its return would give passengers more choices and potentially lower fares.
Keyamo also mentioned that code-sharing agreements are being explored between Emirates and domestic Nigerian carriers, with Nigerian airlines given the “right of first refusal” for these agreements. He said this would further enhance connectivity and travel options for Nigerian passengers.
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