*Emirates Airlines says it remains committed to its 鈥榦perations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities鈥�

*The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority indicts Emirates of failure to grant 鈥榚qual rights鈥� to Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, for flying into Dubai via Sharjah in UAE, declaring the Federal Government would continue to protect Nigeria鈥檚 businesses

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to Nigeria鈥檚 express application of the principle of reciprocity in the international system, the United Arab Emirates鈥� (UAE) Emirates Airlines has stated that it will be suspending all its flights between Nigeria and Dubai, effective from Monday, December 13, 2021.

绿帽献妻 reports the airline鈥檚 decision must have resulted from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority鈥檚 (NCAA) limiting the Arabian airlines鈥� flight operations in the West African country.

The NCAA reportedly had accused UAE authorities of not granting 鈥渆qual rights鈥� to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, flying into Dubai via Sharjah.

Emirates, in a statement issued Friday, December 10, said: 鈥淲ith the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.

鈥淭he last flights to operate on 12 December 2021 are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja.鈥�

The UAE airlines further stated: 鈥淐ustomers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.

鈥淎ffected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.

鈥淓mirates regrets any inconvenience caused.鈥�

It also said: 鈥淚n order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking

鈥淓mirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.鈥�

Basis of withdrawal of frequencies approved for Emirates Airlines: NCAA

Earlier, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had explained why it withdrew the ministerial approval granted to Emirates Airlines by the country鈥檚 Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, Director-General of the regulatory agency, in a statement Friday declared that the NCAA withdrew the approval, following the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace flying to Dubai via Sharjah.

An airline frequency describes how many services an airline may provide within a set period, usually on shorter routes between two large urban destinations.

Nuhu explained Sen. Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, hitherto had granted Emirates Airlines 鈥�21 frequencies weekly鈥� to two major airports in Nigeria; Lagos, 14 and Abuja, seven.

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation

Despite the favourable approval for Emirates, the GCAA reportedly refused to grant Air Peace 鈥渢hree weekly frequencies to Sharjah鈥�, which the airline requested, but rather approved just 鈥渙ne frequency weekly鈥�.

According to him, the GCAA had attributed its refusal to grant the three frequencies to the airline to 鈥渋nadequate slots at the Sharjah Airport鈥�, stressing that the government would continue to protect Nigeria鈥檚 businesses.

The NCAA Chief the withdrawal is expected to take effect from December 12, allowing Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight has been suspended.