By Abiola Olawale
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has been able to finalise a trailblazing reciprocal flight arrangement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in anticipation of the October 1 2024 resumption of Emirate airline’s air service operations to Nigeria.
The Minister led a high-level Nigerian delegation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where Nigeria successfully negotiated and entered a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA)with UAE. This new BASA between the two friendly countries, according to the Minister would guide Nigeria’s relationship on the subject matter going forward.
“Today, we firmly agreed on the reciprocal rights our local airlines will also have to begin flight operations to the UAE,”the Minister tweeted.
Indeed, Keyemo whom industry experts and stakeholders affirm has worked most effectively and conscientiously in not only keeping Nigeria’s skies safe but also helping to restore fitting respectability to Nigeria’s Aviation Sector, has added another groundbreaking accomplishment to his strings of feats in the Aviation ministry.
According to industry players, this new BASA framework is to ensure stronger and mutually beneficial aviation ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)and a prolific Columnist, was accompanied to the deliberations by his technical team at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Leveraging their technical skills and capabilities, they engaged in fruitful talks and deliberations with UAE aviation authorities to ensure smooth reintroduction of Emirates Airlines into the Nigerian airspace next Tuesday.
This latest development was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood.
Moshood, in the statement, explained that the new BASA is designed to enhance collaboration between the two countries and establish guidelines for their evolving relationship in the aviation sector.
The statement reads in part: “Crucially, the negotiations also yielded 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 Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more options to travellers between the two nations.”
At a higher level, speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Keyamo himself stated: “Today’s discussions reaffirm our commitment to fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership with the UAE.
“We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry. As Emirates returns to Nigeria, we look forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.”
The New Diplomat reports that this development follows weeks of diplomatic and technical consultations and engagements aimed at restoring direct air travels between Nigeria and the UAE.
Emirates Airline suspended its flight operations to Nigeria in October 2022. The airline said the decision was hinged on its inability to repatriate funds held in the country.
The airline had maintained that about $85 million in revenue was purportedly trapped in Nigeria. However, after two years of fruitful negotiations, Keyamo, with the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been able to resolve the thorny issues as the airline is now scheduled to resume service on October 1, 2024.
Indeed, Keyamo, a lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and a prolific columnist has been adjudged by many as a pragmatic and enterprising minister who has successfully brought life into a previously disquiet ministry.
