Anti-Competition: How Emirates suspends flights over Nigeria’s withdrawal of approved frequencies

*Emirates Airlines says it remains committed to its ‘operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities’

*The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority indicts Emirates of failure to grant ‘equal rights’ to Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, for flying into Dubai via Sharjah in UAE, declaring the Federal Government would continue to protect Nigeria’s businesses

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to Nigeria’s express application of the principle of reciprocity in the international system, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Emirates Airlines has stated that it will be suspending all its flights between Nigeria and Dubai, effective from Monday, December 13, 2021.

ConsumerConnect reports the airline’s decision must have resulted from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) limiting the Arabian airlines’ flight operations in the West African country.

The NCAA reportedly had accused UAE authorities of not granting “equal rights” to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, flying into Dubai via Sharjah.

Emirates, in a statement issued Friday, December 10, said: “With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.

“The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021 are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja.”

The UAE airlines further stated: “Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.

“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.

“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.”

It also said: “In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking

“Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”

Basis of withdrawal of frequencies approved for Emirates Airlines: NCAA

Earlier, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had explained why it withdrew the ministerial approval granted to Emirates Airlines by the country’s Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, Director-General of the regulatory agency, in a statement Friday declared that the NCAA withdrew the approval, 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.

An airline frequency describes how many services an airline may provide within a set period, usually on shorter routes between two large urban destinations.

Nuhu explained Sen. Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, hitherto had granted Emirates Airlines “21 frequencies weekly” to two major airports in Nigeria; Lagos, 14 and Abuja, seven.

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation

Despite the favourable approval for Emirates, the GCAA reportedly refused to grant Air Peace “three weekly frequencies to Sharjah”, which the airline requested, but rather approved just “one frequency weekly”.

According to him, the GCAA had attributed its refusal to grant the three frequencies to the airline to “inadequate slots at the Sharjah Airport”, stressing that the government would continue to protect Nigeria’s businesses.

The NCAA Chief the withdrawal is expected to take effect from December 12, allowing Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight has been suspended.