The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has secured a reciprocal flight agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the October 1 resumption of Emirates Airlines’ operations to Nigeria.
This new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two nations was finalized during a meeting on Friday, aimed at strengthening aviation ties for mutual benefit. The minister, along with his technical team, held discussions with UAE aviation authorities to ensure a smooth re-entry of Emirates Airlines into Nigerian airspace.
In a statement provided by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Tunde Moshood, the talks focused on enhancing collaboration and establishing guidelines for the evolving relationship in the aviation sector. Notably, a significant agreement on reciprocal rights was reached, allowing Nigerian airlines to soon commence direct flight operations to the UAE.
Minister Keyamo emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, “We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
This marks a major milestone in restoring direct air travel between Nigeria and the UAE, following extensive diplomatic and technical consultations.
