Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says, the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority in Dubai to allow Nigerian airlines to fly to Dubai through Sharjah prompted the Federal Government to withdrew the ministerial approval granted Emirates Airlines by the Ministry of Aviation.
The regulatory body stressed that, Federal Government was poised to ensure that Nigeria’s businesses were protected.
With the withdrawal, which takes effect from December 12, 2021, Emirates Airlines can now fly into Abuja (Nigeria) just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight is suspended.
The NCAA Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, said the approval was withdrawn following the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace flying to Dubai via Sharjah.
He explained that, the Aviation Minister had graciously granted Emirates Airlines 21 frequencies weekly to two major airports in Nigeria; Lagos, 14 and Abuja, seven.
“However, Air Peace only requested for three weekly flights to Sharjah, not even Dubai airport, but the CAA refused the airline. The CAA only approved one weekly frequency to the airline. The only excuse they gave was that they don’t have enough slots. Where is the justice in this? That is capital flight out of Nigeria. Nigeria should protect its own”. Captain Nuhu stated.
Captain Musa Nuhu said despite the approval, the GCAA refused to grant Air Peace three weekly frequencies to Sharjah, which the airline requested for, rather approved just one frequency weekly.
He explained that, the GCAA had attributed its refusal to grant the three frequencies to the airline to inadequate slots in Sharjah airport.
NCAA had in a letter with the reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329, dated December 9, 2021 titled ‘Withdrawal of Ministerial Approval of Emirates Airlines Winter Schedule,’ and signed by Captain Nuhu to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines withdrew the initial approval granted the airline.
The letter read: “I write to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines winter schedule. This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number FMA/ATMO/501/C.104/XV/356 dated 1st December 2021. The withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12th December 2021 at 23002. Please kindly note, henceforth Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.”
RN