JUST IN: UAE Grants Air Peace Direct Flight Approval to Dubai, Emirates Airline Set to Resume Operations Following President Tinubu’s Intervention

UAE Grants Air Peace Direct Flight Approval to Dubai, Emirates Airline Set to Resume Operations Following President Tinubu’s Intervention....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has granted approval for Nigeria’s carrier, Air Peace Airline, to operate direct flights to and from Dubai. This significant development comes after the intervention of President Tinubu.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval during the 2023 Dubai Airshow, where he also explored advancements in aviation and aerospace technologies aligned with Nigeria’s aviation industry goals.

Emirates to Resume Operations Soon

In addition to Air Peace’s approval, Emirates Airlines, which halted operations in Nigeria due to challenges repatriating earned dollars, has expressed readiness to resume direct flights to Nigeria. The announcement was made following discussions between Minister Keyamo and Emirates Airline officials at the Dubai Airshow.

According to Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the positive outcome was revealed in a statement. Oluseyi stated, “Using the opportunity of the Airshow, the Honourable Minister on the sidelines met with officials of Emirates Airline to further discuss the resumption of flights by the Airline to Nigeria, which has yielded positive results as the management has given assurance that the resumption of the flight would commence very soon.”

Exploring Opportunities and Future Plans

During the Dubai Airshow, Minister Keyamo engaged with the management of the Airline Executive, led by CEO Dana Hatcic. The company expressed interest in establishing an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility in Nigeria. Keyamo also envisioned the possibility of organizing the maiden edition of the Nigeria Air Show in November 2024, positioning Nigeria as the first African country to host such an event.

Keyamo’s Vision for Nigerian Aviation

The minister’s visit to the pavilions of leading aviation and aerospace industries aimed at inspecting modern technologies that align with his 5-Point agenda for Nigeria’s aviation industry. This agenda focuses on infrastructure improvement and the promotion of innovation and creativity in cutting-edge civil aviation technologies.

The Dubai Airshow, which ran from November 13 to 17, attracted global participants, including specialists from the aviation and aerospace industries.

Background Information

In November 2022, Emirates announced the suspension of flights to Nigeria, attributing the decision to challenges in repatriating revenue. The airline emphasized its inability to access blocked funds and the absence of a mechanism for future repatriation, leading to operational and commercial viability concerns. President Tinubu’s intervention has played a crucial role in facilitating positive developments for both Air Peace and Emirates Airlines in the Nigerian airspace.

Source: Bushradiogist