Emirates suspends flights from Nigeria to Dubai until February 28

Dubai-based carrier Emirates has temporarily suspended services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai until February 28, 2021.

However, Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja will continue to operate as per the normal schedule.

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).

On a statement through its website, it said that the decision was “in line with government directives” without adding any further details.

African media had previously reported that Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had issued a 72-hour suspension, and then subsequently lifted the ban a few hours later, on Emirates operating flights from Lagos and Abuja. The NCAA had objected to Emirates requiring passengers flying from Nigeria to undergo a rapid antigen test at the airport four hours before departure administered by laboratories that it said were not approved by Nigerian authorities.

In addition, all passengers departing from Nigeria are already required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, not older than 72 hours, to be accepted onto Emirates flights.

Emirates flights to another African nation, South Africa, will also remain suspended until February 28, 2021, in line with recent government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the UAE.

Besides, Nigeria and South Africa, the airline has said on Tuesday that passenger services from Sao Paulo to Dubai too will also remain suspended until February 28, 2021. However, passenger services from Dubai to Sao Paulo will resume from February 11 aboard flight EK 261.