Emirates Airline halts flight operations in Nigeria after FG’s sanction over Air Peace

Emirates Airlines has suspended all its flight operations in Nigeria indefinitely after the federal government withdrew its frequencies approval.

Top Naija had earlier reported that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) withdrew the approval of 21 weekly flights to Nigeria, comprising 14 to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and seven to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) refused to grant the three frequencies requested by Air Peace, the only Nigerian carrier operating to Dubai via Sharjah.

Emirates in an update on its website said all its flights to Nigeria would be suspended until the issues between UAE and Nigeria are resolved.

It read;

“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.

“The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja.

“Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.

“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.

“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused. Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travelers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”

In same vein, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why it withdrew the ministerial approval granted to Emirates Airlines by the Ministry of Aviation.

According to Director-General of the NCAA, Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, the frequencies approval was withdrawn following the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace flying to Dubai via Sharjah.

Revealing that the aviation minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika granted Emirates Airlines 21 frequencies weekly to two major airports in Nigeria; Lagos, 14 and Abuja, seven, Nuhu stated that the GCAA refused to grant Air Peace three weekly frequencies to Sharjah which the airline requested for, but rather approved just one frequency weekly.

Stressing that the government would continue to protect Nigeria’s businesses, the NCAA DG further disclosed that the GCAA attributed its refusal to grant the three frequencies to the Nigerian airline to inadequate slots in Sharjah airport.

The withdrawal is expected to take effect from December 12, allowing Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight has been suspended.