Nigerian Government Expands Uganda Airlines’ Routes to Include Kano and Abuja

As numerous influential stakeholders within the Nigerian aviation industry continue to voice their opposition to the proliferation of entry ports for foreign airlines, the Federal Government has taken a further step in granting additional designations to international carriers operating within the country.

This development came to light during the inaugural flights of Uganda Airlines into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, which took place on a Thursday evening. Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, made the official announcement that the Federal Government had extended approvals for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano to be included in the airline’s route network in Nigeria.

This decision provides Uganda Airlines, which had recently initiated three weekly flights to Nigeria, with access to two additional entry points in the country. The move is significant in the context of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangements with various nations, which had reached a total of 95 as of October 2021. However, it is worth noting that only about 30 of these arrangements remain active, and only a handful of Nigerian carriers, such as Air Peace, are currently participating in these bilateral agreements.

Notably, despite the lack of reciprocity by Nigeria and its own carriers, persistent pressure continues to be exerted on the Federal Government. This pressure comes from various quarters, including State Governors, legislators, and professionals within the aviation sector. The aim is to secure approvals for additional foreign airlines to establish direct routes to various states and airports across Nigeria. This approach disregards the potential impact on the country’s domestic carriers and employment opportunities for qualified aviation personnel.

Many foreign airlines are already operating into multiple destinations in Nigeria, with plans to further expand their frequencies and presence in the country. A diverse array of carriers, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Africa World Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asky Airlines, have established multiple operations within Nigeria.

Keyamo, who addressed the audience at the Uganda Airlines inaugural flight event through his representative, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, the Director of Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Management, emphasized that the approval of additional entry ports for Uganda Airlines aligns with the spirit of the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD). This decision aims to make the Nigeria-Uganda route more accessible to passengers traveling to and from Eastern and Western Africa and beyond. It is essential to protect the interests of the more than 1.37 billion people on the continent, constituting approximately 17.4% of the world’s population.

Furthermore, the minister urged indigenous airline operators to seize the opportunities presented by SAATM and YD by initiating regional and continental flights. He emphasized that this initiative would contribute to the full implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063.

Keyamo reflected on the history of the bilateral relationship between Uganda and Nigeria, highlighting the origins of their commitment to establishing direct flight connections. The journey began on October 9, 2002, in Kampala, Uganda, when the respective ministers of both countries responsible for Civil Aviation initiated an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the ultimate goal of establishing a direct flight from Entebbe, Uganda, to Ikeja, Lagos. This agreement underwent revisions in January 2015, including specific provisions. However, it remained a matter of concern that the ASA had never been operationalized until Uganda took the initiative to commence flight operations. Keyamo commended the management of Uganda Airlines and the government and people of Uganda, under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, for their dedication to realizing this achievement.

Speaking at the event, Jennifer Bamuturaki, the CEO of Uganda Airlines, expressed her delight regarding the commencement of the direct non-stop flight. She emphasized that this flight would significantly reduce travel time within Africa, particularly between Nigeria and Uganda. She lamented the common practice of African travelers connecting through Europe, which adds to the overall cost of flying. She also highlighted the importance of Nigeria, as the largest economy on the continent, having an airline like Uganda Airlines to facilitate seamless passenger connectivity and exploration.

Initially, Uganda Airlines plans to operate three weekly flights from its base in Entebbe, with services scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays to Nigeria. The return flight would occur on the same day, promoting swift and efficient travel between East and West Africa.

Ambassador Nelson Ocherger, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, also expressed his joy regarding the inaugural flight of Uganda Airlines to Lagos. He emphasized that the Nigerian government’s approval of this venture would open up new avenues for business opportunities between the two nations. Ocherger underscored the reciprocal nature of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), indicating that Uganda was eagerly awaiting the initiation of services by Nigerian carriers to Uganda. He acknowledged the significance of air transport in promoting trade and investment and enabling Africa to leverage the African Union’s agenda. He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for granting the necessary approvals for this operation to become a reality.