Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Appeals To Etihad Airways To Consider Flying To Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has passionately appealed to Etihad Airways to consider commencing operations into Abuja in addition to Lagos.

Speaking when a delegation led by Etihad Airways Senior Vice President, Aeropolitical, International & Government Affairs, Capt. Khalid Humaid Al Ali paid the Minister a courtesy visit in Abuja, Keyamo said: “Lagos is saturated, but we want to make all the space and everything available for you in Abuja. I want to beg you to consider Abuja. So many passengers from Northern Nigeria travelling to the UAE or transiting to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and other destinations currently have to travel all the way to Lagos to board flights. Everyone has been asking for Abuja. If you start Abuja, you will be amazed by the passenger traffic. So, we are begging you to include Abuja.”

Capt. Al Ali had officially informed the Minister of the airline’s decision to return to the Nigerian market. Other officials in the Etihad  delegation included Jurriaan Pieter Stelder, Senior Vice President, Network, Alliance & Commercial Strategy; Asma Khalifa Al Mheiri, Head of Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs; and Mouza Khadem Al Ghaithi, Diplomatic Affairs Manager.

The meeting was also attended by the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk, alongside other senior officials of the Ministry and its aviation agencies.

Capt. Al Ali said: “Your Excellency, thank you very much for receiving us. We’ve been very eager to meet you because of the project to start flying to Nigeria. That’s why we’re here to inform you officially now that we are ready to fly to Nigeria. There’s also a lot of push from our Ambassador to commence flights to Abuja. Our plan is to start Lagos between March 24 and 27, 2027.”

He disclosed that Etihad Airways had already concluded a landmark code-share agreement with Air Peace as part of its Nigeria strategy and revealed that the airline would deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route, operating daily services.

Responding, the Minister warmly welcomed the airline’s decision to return to Nigeria and commended Etihad Airways for strengthening its partnership with Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace.

“I saw you just signed a very good deal with Air Peace yesterday. That’s very good. Air Peace is one of our trusted and most reliable airlines. We are supporting them to grow. It is a very proud Nigerian flag carrier,” the Minister stated.

The Minister noted that he had eagerly anticipated Etihad’s return to Nigeria, describing it as another positive outcome of the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the country’s aviation industry as an attractive destination for global airlines and investors.

While acknowledging ongoing terminal renovation and expansion works at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Minister passionately appealed to Etihad Airways to consider commencing operations into Abuja in addition to Lagos.

To demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Etihad’s smooth return, the Minister directed the Managing Director of FAAN to facilitate the necessary arrangements for the airline’s operations at Lagos Airport.

Responding, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, assured the delegation that the Authority would create operational space for Etihad Airways at the temporary terminal in Lagos pending the completion of ongoing infrastructure upgrades, noting that although space would be tight, every effort would be made to accommodate the airline.

To fast-track all regulatory and operational processes ahead of the airline’s planned resumption, the Minister directed the immediate establishment of a joint working committee comprising officials of the Ministry, aviation agencies and Etihad Airways.

Both parties agreed to commence engagements through a virtual meeting as early as next week to expedite approvals, operational planning and other necessary arrangements.

Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister says the planned return of Etihad Airways marks another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s aviation reform agenda under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing growing international confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector and further expanding connectivity between Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world.