Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced on Friday that Emirates Airlines will resume flight operations to Nigeria starting Tuesday, October 1, 2024. This follows the successful conclusion of negotiations with aviation authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Keyamo, who led a Nigerian delegation to the UAE, confirmed that the talks also laid the groundwork for a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two countries. The agreement aims to foster stronger aviation ties and ensure mutual benefits for both nations.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Keyamo expressed confidence in the outcome of the discussions. “Ahead of the resumption of Emirates flights to Nigeria next week Tuesday, I was in the UAE earlier today with my technical team to negotiate a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between both countries," he said. "We have also secured reciprocal rights for Nigerian airlines to begin flight operations to the UAE."
The resumption of Emirates flights marks the end of a suspension that began in November 2022 when the airline halted services due to its inability to repatriate $85 million in revenue trapped in Nigeria. This situation had strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE, but the latest developments signal a return to normalcy in air travel between the two countries.
This breakthrough follows weeks of diplomatic and technical discussions aimed at restoring direct air connectivity.
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