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Air Peace: In retaliation, Nigeria bans Emirates flights to Lagos Airport
The feederal government has banned Emirates flight to Murtala International Airport over the refusal of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant Air Peace three slots to Sharjar.
Air Peace has been operating to Dubai via Sharjar but recently requested three weekly flights but the GCAA only approved one weekly frequency to the airline.
In retaliation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had via a letter withdrawn the Ministerial approval of Emirates Airlines’ winter schedule.
In the letter dated 9 December 2021, with reference number NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329, and addressed to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines, Nigeria, the NCAA noted the withdrawal will take effect on Sunday.
Part of the letter, signed by the NCAA Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, and issued on Thursday, read: “I wish to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines Winter schedule. This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number: FMA/ATMD/501/C.104/XV/536 dated 1st December 2021. This withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12th December, 2021 at 2300z.
“Please kindly note, henceforth, Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.”
According to Nuhu: “The Nigerian Government was gracious to grant Emirates Airlines 21 frequencies it requested for. The airline wants to operate 14 weekly flights to Lagos and another seven weekly flights to Abuja airports.
“However, Air Peace only requested three weekly flights to Sharjah, not even Dubai airport, but the CAA refused the airline. The CAA only approved one weekly frequency to the airline.
“The only excuse they gave was that they don’t have enough slots. Where is the justice in this? That is capital flight out of Nigeria. Nigeria should protect its own.”