Emirates Return to Nigeria a Win-Win for Aviation Industry, Says Keyamo
Emirates Airlines has resumed flights to Nigeria after more than two-year hiatus, a move seen as victory for both the Nigerian and UAE aviation sectors, according to the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo attributed this significant development to President Tinubu’s dedication to restoring Nigeria’s global partnerships.
Speaking with aviation journalists when one of the airline’s flights landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Keyamo revealed that the decision to restore relations with the UAE was paramount, following a period of strained ties that resulted in visa suspensions and the halt of UAE flights to Nigeria.
“The relationship went downhill before with visas and the suspension of their flights. This was especially damaging to Nigerians who have investments in the UAE,” Keyamo explained.
However, he assured Nigerians that the restoration was not about self-glorification but rather a concerted effort to benefit the country, especially its people.
He noted that the signing of a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE marked a new era in the relationship.
“I took the pain to go back there to sign a new BASA, redefining our relationship, making it more healthy and open,” Keyamo said, adding that Emirates Airlines had reaffirmed their commitment to staying in Nigeria.
“They are back to stay, they are not going anywhere again because I think the suspension hurt both sides,” he said.
With the resumption of flights, Keyamo underscored the wide-ranging benefits that the Nigerian travel industry and local airlines stand to gain.
“First of all, you have more options for indigenous carriers flying to destinations in the Middle East and other regions. The new BASA secured routes for local operators, allowing our airlines to fly to any destination in the UAE, ensuring reciprocal benefits,” he said.
Keyamo emphasised that competition in the aviation industry would thrive, leading to better pricing for Nigerian travellers.
“Healthy competition leads to competitive prices for the benefit of the Nigerian people. During the suspension, other airlines increased their frequencies and raised prices due to limited options. Now, with Emirates back, we can expect a stabilisation in pricing,” Keyamo remarked.
Moreover, the minister highlighted Dubai’s strategic importance as a global hub, which facilitates connectivity to virtually every part of the world.
“For Nigerian travellers, it is easy to access any part of the world by simply travelling to Dubai and connecting to that country,” he explained.
Keyamo also shared exciting news regarding the involvement of Nigerian airlines in code-sharing agreements with Emirates.
He revealed that local airlines would have the “right of first refusal” in such agreements, a move designed to boost the domestic aviation industry.
“As I speak with you, Emirates is in talks with several of our local operators,” he stated.
When asked about Air Peace, a Nigerian airline that previously faced operational restrictions, Keyamo confirmed that the new agreement allows Nigerian airlines to fly to any airport in the UAE.
“We insisted on securing all airports, including Dubai International Airport (DXB), Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Keyamo also took the opportunity to highlight broader reforms in Nigeria’s aviation sector, specifically mentioning efforts to enhance the country’s compliance with international aviation standards.
“In the last two weeks, we have made strides in restoring confidence in our aviation ecosystem, especially in aircraft leasing,” he noted, referring to Nigeria’s improved compliance with the Cape Town Convention.
“We’ve seen our compliance score rise tremendously, and we will soon roll out new initiatives that will further boost our standing,” he added.
The minister concluded by affirming that the ultimate goal of these efforts was to empower Nigerian airlines to compete on the global stage, promising lower prices, increased options, and more airlines operating both locally and internationally.
