The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday backed down from its stance of refusing Air Peace three flight slots a week. The Arab country has now conceded seven slots to Nigerian airline.
The Nigerian carrier had previously asked for three frequencies a week including the permission to operate via Dubai airport but the UAE refused, claiming that the Dubai airport was too busy.
In reciprocity, the Nigerian government reduced the number of flights Emirates Airline can make into the west African country.
Emirates were operating 21 flights a week – three flights a day – into Lagos and Abuja but this was reduced to only one flight a week and that flight was to operate through Abuja airport.
Following the hard stance of the Nigerian government, the UAE reviewed its initial position against Air Peace.
UAE also granted the Air Peace the permission to fly directly to Dubai as against it’s earlier stance that the Nigerian carrier could only land at Sharjah Airport.
The oil-rich government however denied reports that it ordered Nigerians from entering UAE through any other carriers.
According to sources, the General Civil Aviation Authority sent a December 13t, 2021 letter to Air Peace.
Although the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not copied in breach of protocol, the Federal Government was said to have received the letter.
“In the letter, the UAE said Air Peace can fly directly to Dubai and not Sharjah Airport. This is the latest on the development.
“Even though they did not follow the right diplomatic channel by writing the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will in turn inform the Aviation Minister, this is still a positive development.”
Asked if the UAE has stopped other carriers from conveying Nigerians to Dubai, the source said: “This is in the realm of rumours. I don’t think it is true. No official communication banning Nigerians from entering Dubai through other carriers. If anybody has such a directive, let him or her produce it. It will be in gross violation of international civil aviation regulations.
“The Federal Government got no such information at the diplomatic or official level. I think with the latest concessions, the UAE was trying to avoid a diplomatic row with Nigeria. We also do not want any row with the UAE.”
