Nigeria and UAE Agree on mutual flights
Written by AIGBOKHAEBHO OKHUELEIGBE on September 13, 2023
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, UAE have struck a mutually beneficial agreements to pave way for the return of flights between both countries.
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have continued their engagement with heads of countries on the global stage to pave way for bilateral cooperation in various sectors of the economy and governance, the aviation sector is set to benefit from one of such meetings between President Bola Tinubu and the President of the United Arab Emirate, UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai which also includes lifting visa restrictions against Nigerians.
According to some analysts in port Harcourt, south South, Nigeria, the Bilateral talks in the UAE will create the needed enablement for domestic Airlines to expand their operations to fly internationally as Emirates and Etihad are expected to resume flights into the country.
Emirates and Etihad Airlines are both National carriers for the United Arab Emirate, UAE. Both airlines are expected to resume weekly flights into Nigeria in the days ahead, with the removal of the visa ban against Nigerians as part of the outcome of the meeting between both Leaders.
Aviation expert, Dr William Park and businessman, Billy Harry, believe it is an opportunity to latch on by the domestic Airlines and advise them on the need to form conglomerates to source government funds to compete favorably on the international routes.
On the removal of visa restrictions on Nigerians, they gave thumbs up to the government but derided the misdemeanor by visa seekers.
With several millions of dollars belonging to some foreign airlines still trapped in the Central bank of Nigeria since 2021, and with the shortchange local airlines under the BASA agreement, President Tinubu, the aviation sector and foreign ministries have a lot on their plates.
