Qatar Airways is to fly Enugu route soon, challenges monopoly enjoyed by Ethiopian Airlines on lucrative Nigeria routes.
Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights on the route on 9 October 2021 after delays by Nigerian aviation authorities.
The Nigerian Embassy in Doha, Qatar, broke the news after a meeting between diplomats from the two countries.
An embassy statement said the Qatari airline also plans to fly Kano and Port Harcourt airports routes as well.
The Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, represented Nigeria at the meeting, the statement said.
He was however accompanied by Nigeria’s Ambassador Yakubu Ahmed, and Head of Chancery at the Qatari Embassy, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
They met with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, in Doha.
The Nigerian representatives requested Qatar to relax visa restrictions on intending visitors and work visa for Nigerian professionals.
Under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2013.
Qatar’s bold move
Qatar Airways currently operates direct flight to Abuja from Doha.
The Enugu Airport code, ENU, is now on Qatar’s online list of flight destinations.
In addition to Enugu, the airline also plans to fly two other routes namely Kano and Port Harcourt, the statement said.
The move signals another step by Qatar Airways to challenge Ethiopian Airlines dominance of the African route.
Qatar Airways is to fly Enugu route soon
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