The United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately restore the slots of Emirates Airlines earlier withdrawn by the Ministry of Aviation.
According to a report by TheCable, the UAE described the FG’s action as ‘unjust’.
Recall that Checkout Magazine reported that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA), had on Friday restricted Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja (Nigeria) just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight was suspended.
The UAE however, in a letter dated December 10, 2021, which was addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and signed by the Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Abdulla Bin Touq Al Mari, said the action taken by the NCAA regarding the Air Peace’s approval at Sharjah is “not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two Nations.”
Emirates had on Friday announced the suspension of operations between Nigeria and Dubai until both countries resolved the fresh diplomatic row.
They had posted on their website that the suspension would start on Monday until Nigeria and the Arab nation “solve the ongoing issue.”
According to the letter, Al Mari said Air Peace, which initially operated at Sharjah Airport, had shifted to Dubai Airport and then returned to Sharjah Airport, saying the airport authority cannot keep their slots after the airline left.
Part of the letter reads:
“It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport,” the GCAA chairman said.
“The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents its compliments to the Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria and has the honor to refer to the letter Ref. No. NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329 dated 9th December of 20921, whereby Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) notified the country manager, Emirates Airline (EK) in Nigeria, regarding the withdrawal of the ministerial approval granted to that airline concerning their Winter Schedule.”
“The NCAA further advised EK that his withdrawal become effective on Sunday 12, 2021, and hence EK is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.
“The GCAA has the honor to highlight that such a decision by the NCAA is unjustified especially, as it has come to our attention that their action is being taken against the background of Air Peace not securing all 3 slots at Sharjah Airport which they desire.
“Air Peace initially operated at Sharjah Airport, shifted to Dubai Airport, and then returned to Sharjah Airport. It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport.”
