The NCAA Explains Why Emirates Airlines’ Frequency Approval Was Revoked
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated why the Ministry of Aviation revoked its ministerial license for Emirates Airlines.
Touchaheart Nigeria reports that the frequency approval was withdrawn, according to NCAA Director-General Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, when the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) refused to offer equal rights to the single Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, which flies to Dubai through Sharjah.
Nuhu revealed that the aviation minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika, granted Emirates Airlines 21 weekly frequencies to two major airports in Nigeria: Lagos (14 weekly frequencies) and Abuja (seven weekly frequencies). However, the GCAA refused to grant Air Peace three weekly frequencies to Sharjah, as the airline requested, instead approving only one weekly frequency.
The NCAA DG went on to say that the GCAA’s reluctance to provide the three frequencies to the Nigerian airline was due to a lack of slots in Sharjah airport, stressing that the government would continue to safeguard Nigeria’s enterprises.
The cancellation is set to take effect on December 12, allowing Emirates Airlines to fly into Abuja only once a week on Thursdays, while its Lagos service has been canceled.
