Emirates suspends flights from Lagos, Abuja airports

Emirates Airlines has temporarily suspended flights from Lagos and Abuja airports to Dubai until February 28.

In a statement via its website, the airline said flights from Dubai to Nigeria will continue to operate as scheduled.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently placed a 72-hour suspension on Emirates flights from Nigeria over violation of travel guidelines put in place by the presidential taskforce on COVID-19.

The ban was lifted after the carrier agreed to withdraw the rapid antigen testing done prior to the departure flights from Nigeria.

“In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until February 28, 2021,” the statement read.

“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).

“Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja will continue to operate as per the normal schedule. We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or contact the Emirates call centre for rebooking.”

Prior to the ban, the carrier had announced an additional COVID-19 test requirement for passengers and also banned transit flights operated by other airlines with Nigerians on them.