The federal government says there are ongoing talks with the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) to resolve the fresh diplomatic row.
Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation and acting chairman of the
presidential steering committee (PSC) on COVID-19, said this at a briefing on
Monday in Abuja.
On Monday, the UAE reportedly banned foreign airlines from
airlifting Nigerian passengers into the country.
To this effect, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and
other airlines connecting transit flights from their hubs into Dubai refused to
board Nigerians.
The UAE claimed that the ban is due to the recent surge in
COVID-19 cases.
This development might not be unconnected with the recent
diplomatic rift between Nigeria and UAE.
Air Peace had requested a slot of three weekly flights from
Nigeria to Sharjah Airport in UAE, but only one was granted.
The UAE’s GCAA blamed the airline for pulling out of Sharjah
Airport and “so should not expect to retain its flight frequency there” — a
claim Air Peace has denied.
In retaliation to the UAE’s treatment of Air Peace, the
federal government dropped Emirate’s slots from 21 to just one, causing
Emirates to pull out of the Nigerian route indefinitely.
Speaking at the briefing, Sirika said there are “huge signs”
that the ongoing issues will be resolved soon.
“We have followed the normal diplomatic routes to continue
to engage UAE. There are huge signs that we are getting to resolve this matter
soon,” he said.
“We have a
responsibility as a government to take certain decisions on behalf of people
that are in accordance with the law and that will ensure that our citizens are
treated fairly and equally and also enjoy mutual relationships.”
He insisted that the decision to reduce the number of
frequencies of Emirates Airlines to Lagos and Abuja was in line with
established ICAO protocols and the spirit of the BASA signed with the UAE.
“The PSC also evaluated the developments on the relationship
between Nigeria and the UAE and we are pleased to inform you that the position
of the Federal Government is in line with established International Civil
Aviation Organization ICAO Protocols and the spirit of the Bilateral Air
Services Agreement, BASA, signed with the UAE,” he added.
‘’Our sovereignty remains paramount, and mutual respects
shall be our guiding principle in as much as it should be in the best interest
of Nigeria.
“The PSC will at its
next regular briefing on Monday, December 20, brief you fully on developments.”
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