The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) according to media reports has just received a piece of precautionary information from Emirates Airlines who recently announced its intention to have extended the suspension of flights from Lagos and Abuja airports to Dubai till March 20, 2021.
The news did not go down well with many Nigerians especially those who have international business transactions, educational careers over these affected by and relations, and families within the said jurisdiction.
According to reports the Dubai-based airlines had initially made the declaration indicating to travellers that it was going to put a hold on flights from Nigeria to Dubai till February 28. It appears, however, that the management of the air transport organization has deemed it fit to review their earlier decision and extend the suspension by 10 more days to March 10, 2021.
According to a recent statement by Emirates, the airline said: “In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until March 20, 2021. Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel before or including this date”.
“Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).”
Meanwhile, Emirates has disclosed that the affected flights from Dubai to the two major Nigerian cities, Lagos and Abuja will continue to operate their normal schedule and activities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had placed a 72-hour suspension on Emirates flights from Nigeria for imposing an extra COVID-19 test requirement on Nigerian travellers in addition to guidelines put in place by the presidential taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF).
However, in response to the move by the federal government, the ban was lifted after the carrier agreed to relinquish the rapid antigen testing done before the departure.
Moreover, on Tuesday, March 09, 2021, the federal government threatened to suspend flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Netherlands as a reciprocal criterion.
Speaking on the recent development, secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed that the ministry of aviation and the NCAA have been directed to take necessary reciprocal measures permissible by law and other international obligations.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
