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Ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines flight operations to Nigeria next week, the Federal Government has secured a reciprocal rights agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement means Nigerian airlines will soon begin direct flight operations to the Gulf State.
The agreement was signed when the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led a high-level Nigerian delegation to the UAE on Friday to conclude negotiations ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria.
The meeting also laid the foundation for a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries to ensure stronger and mutually beneficial aviation ties.
The minister confirmed the development in a post on his X platform on Friday evening.
He wrote: “Ahead of the resumption of Emirates flights to Nigeria next week on Tuesday, I was in the UAE today, along with my technical team, for negotiations on a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries to guide our new relationship going forward .
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“Today, we firmly agree to the reciprocal rights that our local airlines also have to begin flight operations to the UAE.”
The new BASA, which is the focal point of the talks, is designed to enhance collaboration between the two countries and set guidelines for the development of relations between the two countries in the aviation sector.
Keyamo added that the negotiations resulted in a significant agreement on reciprocal rights, ensuring that Nigerian airlines will soon have the opportunity to commence direct flight operations to the UAE.
“This marks a historic development for the Nigerian aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more choices for travelers between the two countries,” he added.
Emirates Airlines announced the resumption of flights in Nigeria on May 16, more than a year after the airline suspended operations due to its inability to repatriate funds trapped in the country.
By: Babajide Okeowo
The post Ahead of resumption of Emirates flights, FG secures rights for Nigerian airline to operate in UAE appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top News from Ripples Nigeria.
