In a major development for the Nigerian aviation industry, the federal government has announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart, Emirates Airlines will resume flight operations in and out of Nigeria.
It also granted approval to Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, to fly directly into and out of Dubai.
The news came to light during the 2023 Dubai Airshow, held in the UAE, where the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, SAN, made the groundbreaking announcement.
Emirates Airlines, which had suspended its operations in Nigeria due to challenges repatriating earnings in dollars, has also signaled its intention to resume direct flights to the country. The announcement was made by the management of Emirates Airlines during the Dubai Airshow.
According to the Head of the Press in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Odutayo Oluseyi, Minister Festus Keyamo held meetings with several aviation industry stakeholders during the event. One significant meeting was with the executives of an airline, led by its CEO, Dana Hatcic.
This airline expressed a keen interest in establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, a development that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s aviation sector.
In addition to these exciting developments, Minister Keyamo revealed the possibility of organizing the inaugural Nigeria Air Show in November 2024. If realized, Nigeria will become the first African nation to host such an event, marking a significant milestone in the country’s aviation history.
Minister Keyamo did not limit his engagements to just these announcements. He took the opportunity to visit the pavilions of leading aviation and aerospace industries from around the world. His objective was to explore modern technologies that could be harnessed to drive his 5-Point Agenda for the Nigerian aviation industry, with a particular focus on improving infrastructure and promoting innovation and creativity in cutting-edge technologies related to civil aviation.
The 2023 Dubai Airshow, which spanned from November 13 to November 17, 2023, drew a diverse and sizable contingent of participants from across the globe, including renowned aviation and aerospace industry specialists. The event showcased the latest advancements in the field, setting the stage for potential collaborations and opportunities to further elevate Nigeria’s aviation sector on the international stage.
