The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced on Wednesday that the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus would promote healthy competition and result in better pricing for Nigerians.
Speaking in Lagos after arriving on an Emirates flight from the United Arab Emirates, Keyamo confirmed that the airline was back for good. He noted that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) discussed with the UAE would secure the route for local operators as well.
“We signed a new BASA, redefining our relationship to make it healthier and more open, benefiting the Nigerian people,” Keyamo stated. “With this, there will be more competition on international routes, which will ensure competitive pricing for the good of Nigerians.”
Keyamo also highlighted that Nigerian carriers now have the opportunity to fly to any destination in the UAE. He emphasized that the return of Emirates was particularly important due to the significant investments and interests that Nigerians have in the UAE, especially in Dubai, which serves as a global hub connecting many countries.
Emirates Airlines had suspended its flight operations to Nigeria in November 2022 due to its inability to repatriate $85 million in trapped revenue. In April, Keyamo announced that the issues had been resolved, and Emirates was ready to resume flights. On September 27, both Nigeria and the UAE agreed on reciprocal rights, paving the way for the airline’s return to Nigerian skies.