According to an approval letter by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, it noted that the approval was in with the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and each of the countries.
The letter dated September 8, 2023, conveying this approval from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development was signed by Director, Air Transport Management, H.T. Ejiburu, on behalf of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to the United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited.
The letter reads, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2nd August 2023 on the above subject and convey the Honourable Minister’s approval for the designation of Messrs United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited to operate international flight operations to the undermentioned countries and cities: Netherlands (Amsterdam), Italy (Rome), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Dubai), United Kingdom (London), United States of America (USA) (Houston) and Ireland (Dublin).
“The designation of Messrs United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited is in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governments of the six mentioned countries.
“Consequently, the airline is hereby advised to liaise with the Civil Aviation Authorities of the aforementioned countries for documentation prior to commencement of scheduled flight operations. However, you are obliged to comply with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig. CARs (2023) Part 18.5.1.1 A-C by taking further steps to liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in fulfilling the requirements if necessary.
“Kindly note that the approval has been communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its further necessary actions.”
The PUNCH reports that United Nigeria Airlines started flight operations in 2021 with Prof Obiora Okonkwo as Chairman and operates scheduled flights in major Nigerian cities. The Airline had earlier obtained approval for regional flights based on which they are finalising arrangements to commence regional operations in a couple of weeks upon the arrival of their additional aircraft in the middle of October.
