United Arab Emirates (UAE) Bows to Nigeria’s Pressure, Concedes Seven Flights Slots to Air Peace

The disagreement between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria over airline slots the Arab country gave to Nigeria’s Air Peace, appears to be nearing its end as the UAE on Monday, decided to concede seven slots to the Nigerian carrier instead of one it earlier approved.

The Nation reported, citing sources, that the UAE also granted Air Peace the permit to fly directly to Dubai instead of Sharjah Airport.

Last week, Nigeria had taken a retaliatory decision against Emirate Airline over United Arab Emirate’s decision to limit Air Peace to one-weekly flight to the UAE, whereas Emirates got the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’s approval for 21-weekly flights to Nigeria.

In a bid to avoid the looming diplomatic row the development will cause, the UAE has rescinded its decision.

But in response to the report that it has directed international carriers operating into Nigeria not to airlift Nigerian travelers to Dubai, the UAE said it has no knowledge of that.

The Arab country’s decision to reverse its earlier decision limiting Air Peace’s flight’s slots into Dubai to one-weekly, was contained in a letter from the General Civil Aviation Authority, dated Dec. 13, 2021, to Air Peace, according to sources who spoke to The Nation. Although the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not copied in breach of protocol, the Federal Government was said to have received the letter.

“In the letter, the UAE said Air Peace can fly directly to Dubai and not Sharjah Airport. This is the latest on the development. Even though they did not follow the right diplomatic channel by writing to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will in turn inform the Aviation Minister, this is still a positive development.”

Asked if the UAE has stopped other carriers from conveying Nigerians to Dubai, the source said, “This is in the realm of rumours. I don’t think it is true. No official communication banning Nigerians from entering Dubai through other carriers. If anybody has such a directive, let him or her produce it. It will be in gross violation of international civil aviation regulations.

“The Federal Government got no such information at the diplomatic or official level. I think with the latest concessions, the UAE was trying to avoid a diplomatic row with Nigeria. We also do not want any row with the UAE.”

Nigeria is showing readiness to reciprocate discriminatory foreign policies, especially with countries like the UAE, who have a lot to gain from Nigeria. A “do me I do you” sort of response to travel restrictions implemented by foreign countries seems also to be part of the new approach.

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister had called the UAE’s decision “very insulting” and “not acceptable” by international treaties, conventions and agreements.

“And therefore I directed that they also be given one frequency and into Abuja and beginning from December 12. From December 13, they will only come once into the country. “So, anyone who wants to get into Emirates should get out by December 12.

“I know they cannot bear the pressure. Honestly, who cares? By their not coming, they are losing a lot of money and we also in Nigeria are losing the service they provide. But the sovereignty of 200 million people is too important to toil with,” he said.

Though thousands of Nigerians travel to Dubai weekly, a huge patronage to UAE’s tourist economy that it can’t afford to lose, the row between the two countries has been moving from one end to the other. Recently, the UAE announced the decision to stop issuing work visas to Nigerians. That was in addition to covid flight-ban that earlier halted airline activities between the two countries.

Nigeria is also gearing up to respond to the decisions of Canada, the UK and Saudi Arabia, placing it on covid red list over Omicron variant.

“We have given our input that it is not acceptable by us and we recommend that those countries – Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia and Argentina – be also put on the red list.

“So, like they did to us, if they don’t allow our citizens into their country; who are they coming as airlines to pick out of our country?

“So, they are not supposed to come in. I am very sure in the next three days; Monday or Tuesday, all those countries will be put on the red list of COVID-19.

“Once they are on the red list, which means they are banned, their airlines will also be banned. I am so sorry we are going through difficult times, but it is in the interest of our country,” Sirika said.