Concerns are mounting over the implications of Nigeria's revised Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), just two months after the government announced changes aimed at enhancing aviation ties.
As Emirates Airlines prepares to resume flights to Nigeria on October 1, 2024, industry analysts are questioning whether the new pact will genuinely benefit Nigerian carriers.
On September 27, 2024, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed that it had established reciprocal flight rights with UAE authorities. This development was framed as part of a broader effort to strengthen aviation relations between the two nations.
However, a recently obtained document has raised alarms among stakeholders. The 15-page report suggests that the new agreement may disadvantage Nigerian airlines by failing to provide a level playing field against their UAE counterparts.
Analysts have interpreted the shift from a traditional BASA to what they describe as an "Open Skies" framework, which allows for unrestricted competition among airlines on international routes.
The document outlines details of the agreement signed in Dubai on September 30, 2024, by a Nigerian delegation led by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The UAE delegation included senior officials from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The amended agreement reaffirms the designation of several UAE airlines—such as Emirates and Etihad Airways—as well as Nigerian carriers United Nigeria Airlines and Air Peace.
While the new BASA is intended to foster mutual benefits, experts caution that it may inadvertently favor UAE airlines.
The agreement permits these airlines to operate with fewer restrictions compared to Nigerian carriers, potentially undermining local competition.
