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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority‘s (NCAA) decison to limit Emirates’ flights to once a week is “unjustifiable.”
In a letter dated December 10, and addressed to Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the UAE authorities said the action taken by the NCAA regarding the Air Peace’s approval at Sharjah Airport is “not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two Nations.”
The letter was signed by Abdulla Bin Touq Al Mari, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Arab nation’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
On Friday, Emirates announced the suspension of operations between Nigeria and Dubai until both countries resolved the fresh diplomatic row.
In a travel notice on its website on Friday evening, the airline said the suspension will start on Monday until when Nigeria and UAE “solve the ongoing issue.”
However, Al Mari said Air Peace, which initially operated at Sharjah Airport, had shifted to Dubai Airport and then returned to Sharjah Airport, saying the airport authority cannot keep the slots after the airline left.
“It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport,” the GCAA chairman said.
“The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents its compliments to the Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria and has the honour to refer to the letter Ref. No. NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329 dated 9th December of 20921, whereby Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) notified the country manager, Emirates Airline (EK) in Nigeria, regarding the withdrawal of the ministerial approval granted to that airline with respect to their Winter Schedule.
“The NCAA further advised EK that his withdrawal become effective on Sunday 12, 2021, and hence EK is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.
“The GCAA has the honour to highlight that such a decision by the NCAA is totally unjustified especially, at it has come to our attention that their action is being taken against the background of Air Peace not securing all 3 slots at Sharjah Airport which they desire.
“Air Peace initially operated at Sharjah Airport, shifted to Dubai Airport, and then returned to Sharjah Airport. It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport,” the statement read.
The UAE aviation authority further explained that Sharjah Airport is currently operating at 140 percent slot capacity, adding that the country had made goodwill by accommodating Air Peace with one slot out of the three requested.
It, however, urged NCAA to review the decision and restore the approval of the Emirates Airline Winter Scheule, as filed.
“We wish to kindly advise you that Sharjah Airport is currently operating at 140% slot capacity, but with goodwill and tremendous efforts on their side, this Airport was able to accommodate Air Peace with 1 of the 3 slots that this airline requested,” the letter adds.
“The GCAA wishes to stress that the action being taken by the NCAA is obviously not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two Nations.
“As we are both aware, the relations between our two brotherly countries are vintage in nature, one hallmark being the recent visit of the President of Nigeria to the UAE, which certainly mirrored the status of the positive relations.
“Finally, we suggest that Air Peace should consider flying their two flights to any UAE airport at which there are available slots. As expected, the GCAA will support Air Peace in this activity, where required.
“Your Excellency, your kind support is anticipated so that the NCAA reviews their decision and restores the approval of the Emirates Airline Winter Scheule, as filed. In this regard, we wish to reiterate that this is purely an operational matter between Air Peace and Sharjah Airport, and in any case, it should have absolutely no implication for Emirates Airline,” it added.
(TheCable)