The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced a forthcoming codeshare agreement between Emirates Airlines and various Nigerian carriers on Wednesday. This strategic partnership, known as codesharing, allows one airline to market the services of another carrier, broadening destination options for travelers.
During a joint meeting with Emirates officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Keyamo highlighted the significance of this agreement within the international aviation sector. He outlined that the arrangement will enable Nigerian airlines to engage in ticket cost sharing with Emirates, thus enhancing service offerings to destinations not covered by their current routes.
Keyamo emphasized that the ministry has successfully secured codeshare agreements for local operators, ensuring that Nigerian airlines maintain the right of first refusal in these partnerships with Emirates.
“There will be numerous codeshare opportunities arising from this collaboration. Emirates is currently in discussions with many of our local operators to bolster the Nigerian aviation industry,” Keyamo stated.
He noted that following Emirates’ temporary suspension of operations, other airlines benefited from increased frequencies to Nigeria, although this also led to higher ticket prices due to limited flight availability.
Keyamo reiterated the importance of Dubai as a global aviation hub, linking numerous countries and facilitating easier travel for Nigerians seeking access to international destinations. He assured that this agreement will provide more travel options for Nigerian citizens, as well as foster healthy competition among airlines, ultimately benefiting consumers with competitive pricing.
The agreement with the UAE allows Nigerian airlines to operate flights to any destination within the UAE, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring a diverse range of choices and competitive dynamics within the international travel market for Nigerian passengers.
