Nigeria Secures Reciprocal Aviation Rights with UAE Ahead of Emirates’ Flight Resumption

Ahead of Emirates’ resumption of flights to Nigeria on October 1, the federal government has finalized an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ensure reciprocal rights for Nigerian airlines wishing to fly to UAE cities, especially Dubai.

Although Nigeria already has a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) with the UAE, the new agreement on reciprocal rights will allow Nigerian carriers to operate flights to the UAE with fewer obstacles. Prior to the suspension of UAE visas for Nigerians, Air Peace had been operating direct flights to Dubai, with other Nigerian airlines preparing to follow suit.

Emirates had earlier suspended flights to Nigeria due to strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, which led Nigeria to cut Emirates’ 21 weekly flights to just one. The dispute stemmed from the UAE’s refusal to grant Air Peace access to Dubai International Airport, the country’s primary hub.

To resolve these issues, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, led a high-level delegation to the UAE to finalize negotiations before Emirates’ flight service resumes next week. The discussions, which involved UAE aviation authorities and the Minister’s technical team, focused on ensuring a smooth reintroduction of Emirates Airlines into Nigerian airspace.

A central aspect of the talks was the review of the existing BASA, which aims to improve collaboration between the two countries in the aviation sector. Keyamo’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, confirmed that the negotiations secured reciprocal rights for Nigerian airlines to commence direct flights to the UAE.

“This is a historic moment for Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more travel options between the two nations,” the Minister said. He also expressed confidence that the agreement will deepen bilateral ties and boost the competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation sector on the global stage.

The resumption of Emirates flights and the revised BASA are expected to promote tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and the UAE, fostering economic growth for both nations.