FG Makes U-Turn, Says No Timeframe On Resumption Of Emirate Flights

The Federal Government of Nigeria stated that there is no specific timeframe for the resumption of Emirates and Etihad flights, which were put on hold due to the diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite earlier indications of an immediate resumption of flights after a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE authorities have not confirmed the lifting of the visa ban or the resumption of flights by their airlines.

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, mentioned during the Aviation Africa Summit that the terms of agreements between the two countries were being finalized. He emphasized the need to work out all the details, including scheduling flights, obtaining permissions from local authorities, and ensuring reciprocal rights for Nigerian airlines under Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs). However, he did not provide a specific timeframe for the resumption of flights.