The United Arabs Emirates (UAE) mega carrier, Emirates Airlines has extended ban on outbound Nigerian flights till March 20, 2021.
This is coming at a time the federal government is contemplating reviewing the airline’s operations to Nigeria.
Emirates has so far sustained its in-bound flights to Nigeria, even as it banned its outbound flight since February 4,2021.
In a statement by an Emirates spokesperson in Lagos with title ‘Update on Flights to/from Nigeria to Dubai Until 20 March’, made available to THISDAY Wednesday, the airline said passengers from both Abuja and Lagos would not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date.
“In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until 20 March 2021.
“Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to 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).” , the airline said.
It stated further that Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja would continue to operate as per the normal schedule.
“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.
“Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services to Dubai for our customers when conditions allow.” , it added.
The UAE had on February 14, announced the extension of the suspension of flights from Nigeria till March 10, 2020.
This was after it promised to review the ban by February 28, 2020 after it stopped Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier from operating to UAE.
In another statement by February 28, the Authority said the UAE would only review the ban by March 10 but as at the time of filling this report, the ban date has been reviewed upward.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday said that it would review the operations of flights to Nigeria by Emirates and suspension of flights by KLM, saying that government would apply the principle of reciprocity in reaction to the decision by the two airlines.
