UAE Backs Down, Concedes Seven Flights Per Week to Air Peace

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has increased the number of flight slots given to Nigerian flag carrier Air Peace to seven per week from an initial one per week.

It has also granted the Nigerian carrier the permit to fly directly to Dubai instead of just Sharjah Airport.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced the slot extension in a letter to the Air Peace chairman amid an ongoing diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE.

It said the letter was “with regard to slot availability at DXBTerminal 1 and as a gesture of goodwill and in support of UAE and Nigeria relations, in case Air Peace wish to start their flights, slots have been blocked by Dubai Airports.

“Relations between our two countries go a long way back and we value these relations immensely. We surely wish to facilitate easy and safe travel for the people, between our two brotherly countries.”

The aviation authority listed seven slots for Air Peace flights in the Arab country.

Nigeria’s aviation minister Hadi Sirika on Monday said the government was unaware of the alleged stoppage of Nigerians by the UAE from entering any part of the Emirates through other carriers.

But the Nigerian government on Saturday ordered that UAE-operated airlines come into the country only once a week to reciprocate the one slot given to Nigerian airline, Air Peace, saying the UAE violated bilateral air agreement.

Emirates Airline on December 10 said it was suspending its flights to and from Nigeria “until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.”

“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.”

UAE wrote to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority saying its action to limit Emirates’ flights to once weekly was unjustifiable and was “not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two nations.”

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