Emirates, Air Peace Sign Pact To Link 13 Nigerian Cities

In a significant move to strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Airlines and Air Peace have signed an interline agreement.

This partnership is part of the broader Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two nations and aims to enhance travel options for passengers between Nigeria and the UAE.

The collaboration will allow Emirates to extend its network to 13 new cities in Nigeria, providing seamless single-ticket travel and simplified baggage handling. Passengers traveling from Dubai to Lagos will be able to easily connect to several Nigerian cities, including Asaba, Akure, Benin, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Owerri. Corporate travellers will also benefit from the new routes, which will include cities such as Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Warri.

Mr. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, highlighted the importance of the partnership in expanding travel options for both leisure and business travellers. “This partnership with Air Peace is the next step on this journey, bolstering our connectivity and introducing more travel options for corporate, leisure, and travellers visiting friends and family to and from Nigeria,” he said.

Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, also expressed enthusiasm for the strategic partnership, noting that it aligns with the airline’s mission to enhance global connectivity and expand its international reach. “This partnership also reinforces Nigeria’s aviation sector by enhancing connectivity, efficiency, and positioning our country as a critical hub for regional and global travel,” Olajide stated.

The interline agreement will make it easier for travellers to book international flights with Emirates from any of the 13 cities, with Air Peace providing the domestic links to Emirates flights out of Nigeria.

In addition to this agreement, Nigeria and the UAE have signed an amended BASA, which is expected to bring mutual benefits to both countries’ aviation sectors. Key areas outlined in the agreement include expanding codeshare agreements, capacity building, technical support in safety, airport facilitation, and security. Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr.  Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while UAE’s Minister of Economy, Mr. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, signed for the UAE.

Mr. Keyamo emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between the two nations and suggested a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians to increase passenger traffic and benefit both countries. The Honourable Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that both nations fully capitalise on the economic and operational advantages of this strengthened aviation partnership.