By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Two key players in the Nigerian aviation industry, Emirates and Air Peace, have activated a bilateral interline agreement aimed to expand air connectivity between Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and London.

The two airline operators are building on their existing partnership to offer their passengers frictionless, single-ticket travel and with through-checked baggage, on select routes, resulting in greater travel comfort and convenience for customers.

Beyond the 13 cities in Nigeria already available for Emirates passengers on Air Peace’s network, the enhanced interline agreement now enables travellers to connect with Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal, both via Abidjan; and with Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia, both via Accra. The additional gateways allow more passengers in Africa to access Emirates world-class product and services, and vast global network.

The agreement allows Air Peace to connect its extensive West and Central African route system into Emirates’ hub in Dubai, and on key destinations including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted, Abidjan, Accra and, of course, Lagos.

With huge demand for travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,  providing Air Peace passengers with increased choice, flexibility, and global reach.

Emirates operates a Boeing 777-300ER on its Dubai-Lagos route, providing travellers with one of the best experiences in the sky.

Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages, while tuning in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment – including Nollywood classics – on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

As one of only two airlines operating a First Class cabin into Nigeria, Emirates offers an unrivalled travel experience defined by comfort, privacy and luxurious touches.

With a fleet of over 50 aircraft including Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraers, Air Peace operates an expanding network of domestic, regional, and international services, connecting major cities across Africa and beyond.

The airline remains committed to strengthening intra-African connectivity, supporting trade and tourism, and contributing meaningfully to economic development across the continent.

“Enhancing our interline partnership with Air Peace allows us to expand our footprint across more of Africa, creating new opportunities for people to fly better with Emirates, while helping international tourists explore more of the region, via Lagos.

“We remain committed to working with strategic partners such as Air Peace to further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors,” the Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, said.

His counterpart at Air Peace, Nowel Ngala, while commenting, said, “This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace’s strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets.

“By combining our strong regional presence with Emirates’ extensive international network, we are delivering seamless connectivity, improved travel experience, and greater access to key global destinations for African travellers. This partnership further reinforces Air Peace’s role as a critical bridge between Africa and the global aviation ecosystem.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed reports that the Qatar Airways flight to Doha in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made an emergency landing in Lagos.

In a statement, the nation’s aviation regulator disclosed that the return of the aircraft to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja on Friday was merely precautionary, not an emergency as it is being reported.

Over the weekend, the aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members from Lagos to Doha returned to base after a technical alert was detected.

The Qatar Airways flight QR1406 landed normally and safely, disembarking without incident, Business Post gathered.

The regulator said precautionary air returns are a routine part of global aviation safety protocols designed to prioritise passenger safety and allow technical issues to be addressed on the ground.

“An air return due to a technical alert that landed normally and safely without incident is standard aviation practice. There was no incursion, no excursion and no crash landing,” the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, stated.

Also, Qatar Airways in a statement on Saturday said the cockpit crew followed established operational procedures and acted in the interest of safety.

“The cockpit crew followed all established safety procedures, and the aircraft landed safely in Lagos. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority,” it noted, adding that passengers were assisted on arrival and rebooked on the next suitable flights to reach their destinations, apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Aviation and emergency authorities said the coordinated response to the aircraft’s return demonstrated the effectiveness of Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight and emergency preparedness.

The NCAA said the incident underscores the professionalism of international carriers operating in Nigeria and reflects safety systems working as designed.

By Bon Peters

The South-South Regional Manager of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), Mrs Lynda Ezike, has said Aerodrome Certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) could serve as a catalyst for investors’ confidence for Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State.

Mrs Ezike made the assertion in Port Harcourt recently during a chat with newsmen, noting that the certification has also strategically positioned the facility for global recognition, thereby promoting the ease of doing business at the Airport.

The FAAN chief, who also manages the airport, reaffirmed the determination and commitment to leverage on the certification awarded the facility to promote better services.

“We will continue to uphold all operational policies in the aviation sector,” she said, adding that the certification was a confirmation that the facility fully met all global benchmarks.

According to her, the airport topped in infrastructure, operational procedures and safety management, revealing that the NCAA, as part of its drive to institutionalise global standards across Nigeria’s airport networks, recently issued Aerodrome Certificates to Kano and Port Harcourt Airports.

She commended the exercise, emphasizing its importance to boosting investors’ confidence for airline operators, passengers and airport users.

“The certification officially presented on December 19, 2025, followed a strict and rigorously structured regulatory processes jointly carried out by the NCAA and FAAN.

“This collaborative scrutiny underscores the importance of interagency collaboration towards safety and operational excellence across Nigeria’s sectors,” she said.