News Details

Emirates continues stranglehold on Lagos route, Air Peace mum on service re-launch

While Emirates Airlines begins flights to Nigeria on October 1, two years after it ceased services to Nigeria over trapped funds and other issues, there are indications that the air traffic imbalance between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may continue on the lucrative Nigeria-Dubai route, at least for now and probably long after Emirates may have started flights to Lagos.

For many years, Emirates had enjoyed a ‘monopoly’ on the route while Nigerian carriers that ventured onto the route had left mysteriously with many alluding that Nigerian carriers cannot compete with Emirates.

Again, while Emirates has been making grand plans to relaunch services to Nigeria, nothing much has been heard about Nigerian flag carrier airline Air Peace resuming flights to Dubai which route it left shortly before the impasse between Abuja and UAE in 2022.

Emirates

First, Air Peace would need to pressure the Nigerian government for the UAE to make visas accessible to many Nigerians who may want to travel via the Nigerian carrier as visa issuance at the moment is very stringent for Nigerians who plan to visit Dubai.

The Visa conditions are very stringent as there are indications that UAE High Commissions would only issue visas to persons of certain ages, marital status and social standing in the society which may extremely work against Air Peace as the UAE is said to want to prevent allegations of crimes against Nigerians going to Dubai.

For more than three months, the Dubai-based Emirates has opened its online booking platform and has been making bookings for intending travellers to Dubai.

Some stakeholders who spoke to Aviation Metric said it might take a little bit longer for Air Peace to relaunch services to Dubai, saying that nothing on the ground shows that the carrier is ready, ‘For now to jump unto the Dubai route”.

They however expressed confidence that Air Peace would return to Dubai when all arrangements are concluded, stressing that relaunching a service takes time, planning and strategy.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has been proactive in ensuring that Air Peace returns to Dubai.

The Minister has secured reciprocal operational rights ahead of Emirates Airlines’ resumption of flights to Nigeria.


Keyamo and the Nigerian delegation held fruitful discussions with UAE aviation authorities to reintroduce Emirates Airlines into Nigerian airspace.

Additionally, these talks resulted in a crucial agreement granting Nigerian airlines reciprocal operational rights to fly directly to the UAE.

Emirates Airlines is expected to be re-introduced on the Dubai-Lagos route on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, marking a significant step in enhancing bilateral aviation ties.

The meeting also laid the groundwork for a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two countries.

This agreement ensures stronger and mutually beneficial aviation ties between Nigeria and the UAE. The new BASA aims to enhance collaboration between both nations and establish clear guidelines for their evolving aviation relationship.

Commenting on the successful talks, Keyamo said, “The 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 Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the aviation industry.”As Emirates returns to Nigeria, we look forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.”

This agreement comes after several weeks of diplomatic and technical consultations focused on restoring direct air travel between Nigeria and the UAE.

It highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for both Nigerian and international travellers.

The resumed Emirates flights and the new BASA will greatly boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges, driving economic growth.

Emirates will operate a daily service between Lagos and Dubai, offering customers more choices and connectivity from Lagos to, and through, Dubai.

Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, Adnan Kazim, “We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria. The Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular with customers in Nigeria and we hope to reconnect leisure and business travellers to Dubai and onwards to our network of over 140 destinations.”

Air Peace’s Embraer 195-E2

“We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard”, he added

Popular Post

Archives

Categories

Instagram post