Nigeria, UAE sign landmark air services pact to boost global connectivity

In a significant move to boost aviation cooperation, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed an amended Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) while flag carriers Emirates Airlines and Nigeria’s Air Peace sealed a major interline partnership. The agreements, finalized during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, aim to transform air connectivity between the two nations and position Nigeria as a regional aviation hub.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri inked the updated BASA, which expands codeshare opportunities and prioritizes technical collaboration in safety, security, and airport operations. The pact underscores mutual commitments to elevate Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through UAE expertise, while fostering economic and tourism ties.

Under the new interline agreement, Emirates passengers flying from Dubai to Lagos can now seamlessly connect to 13 Nigerian cities via Air Peace’s domestic network. Key destinations include Asaba, Akure, Benin, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, Owerri, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Warri. The partnership enables single-ticket bookings, unified baggage handling, and streamlined transfers, offering travelers—especially corporate clients and diaspora visitors—direct access to business hubs and regional destinations.

Emirates’ Deputy President, Adnan Kazim, emphasized the deal as a leap forward in connectivity: “This collaboration opens doors for leisure, family, and business travelers, linking Dubai to Nigeria’s underserved regions.” Air Peace’s COO, Oluwatoyin Olajide, echoed the sentiment, stating, “This partnership aligns with our vision to