Nigerian Government has given approval for the resumption of Emirates flight operations to Nigeria.

The government also asked the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to approve the request by Air Peace for the resumption of passenger flights effective March 1, 2022.

The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, made this known in a letter addressed to His Excellency, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaid, Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

Dated February 1, 2022, with reference: NCAA/DG/CCAA/20/16/119, the letter was titled: ‘Re: Operations of Flights-UAE/Nigeria VV-COVID-19 Safety Decision Issue 24’.

The letter also said the safety issue 24 had been accepted by the Nigerian authorities after a review by relevant parties.

“Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority extends its compliments to the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates.”

“Your letter of 28 January 2022 with Ref GCAA/ATD/19-22 on the above subject matter refers.

“I wish to inform you that the safety decision issue has been accepted by Nigerian authorities after review by relevant parties.

“Consequently, Emirates Airlines can resume scheduled passenger flight operations to Nigeria at its convenience.

“I wish to bring to the notice of HE that the Nigerian operator, Air Peace Airlines has submitted its request to UAE Authorities for resumption of scheduled passenger flights between the two countries effective 01 March 2022.”

The UAE authorities had lifted restrictions imposed on Nigeria and 11 other African countries as part of measures to control the spread of Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Prior to the imposition of the travel which took effect on December 25, 2021, UAE and Nigeria had just resolved a diplomatic spat following the restriction of Emirates flights to one daily flight from the initial 21 frequencies.

It was in retaliation for the refusal of the Sharjah Authorities to decline the three slots requested by the Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, citing space constraints at the airport.

But the UAE authorities had granted seven slots to Air Peace which paved the way for the restoration of Emirates 21 frequencies to Nigeria.