Etihad Airways has officially announced plans to resume flight operations to Nigeria. The announcement came during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, who said the airline’s planned return forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen international connectivity and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key aviation hub in West Africa.
The move is expected to offer Nigerian travellers more direct options to the United Arab Emirates and wider global destinations.
Leading the Etihad delegation was the airline’s Senior Vice President, Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs, Capt Khalid Al Ali. He was accompanied by Senior Vice President, Network, Alliance and Commercial Strategy, Jurriaan Stelder; Head of Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs, Asma Al Mheiri; and Diplomatic Affairs Manager, Mouza Khadem Al Ghaithi.
The Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Umar Farouk; and other senior government officials.
