As part of a comprehensive Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and United Arab Emirate (UAE), Emirate Airline and Air Peace have signed an interline pact.
According to experts, the move would enhance connectivity for passengers travelling between Nigeria and UAE.
The experts described the partnership as one of the major steps to drive collaboration between foreign carriers and indigenous operators.
Emirates Airlines said in a statement yesterday that the partnership would expand its footprint to 13 new cities in Nigeria with frictionless single-ticket travel and simplified baggage throughput.
It explained that travellers booked on flights from Dubai to Lagos can access more of Nigeria, with onward connections to Asaba, Akure, Benin, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna and Owerri.
The interline agreement will also benefit corporate travellers by connecting them to additional cities like, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt and Warri.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer said: 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.’’
Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide, said, we are excited about this strategic interline partnership between Air Peace and Emirates, which is a significant step towards enhancing global connectivity for Nigerian travellers.
‘’ It aligns with our mission to provide seamless, world-class travel experiences while expanding our route network and 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.’’
Once the implementation begins, it would be easy for a traveller to book an Emirates’ international flight from any of the 13 cities and be picked from the city by Air Peace to link up with Emirates Airline for the flight out of the country.
Nigeria and UAE are also set to commence a mutual air travel ties with the signing of an amended BASA between them.
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo penned his name on behalf of Nigeria and UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri for his country.
The ceremony took place at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Key areas agreed by both countries include expansion of codeshare agreements, capacity building and technical support, especially safety, airport facilitation and security.
Keyamo, in a statement yesterday by his Media Aide, Tunde Moshood, emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE with a focus on interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
The minister also advocated a review of UAE’s visa restrictions on Nigerians. He stressed that easing the current conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes and benefit both nations.
Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement the agreement and ensure both countries maximized the economic and operational benefits of a strengthened partnership.
