Hurray! Emirates Resume Flight To Nigeria June 23
BY CHINYERE OBIORA – After over two months at the negotiation table, cheering news has come for the Nigerian aviation sector with the expected resumption of flight to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE authorities announced the suspension of the travel ban on Nigeria, paving the way for the resumption of flights between the two countries on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
A diplomatic row between both countries over the COVID-19 rapid antigen test introduced by the UAE government saw flights suspended since March 2021 as engagements continued at the highest level to resolve the issues involved.
There were also issues around the negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test requirement as stipulated by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
A PCR test is performed to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.
With the recent development, the UAE flag carrier, Emirates, which had suspended operations to and from Nigeria since March, will now resume its flight schedules from June 23.
According to reports, the Dubai Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) has updated the travel protocols, thereby finally removing the rapid antigen test.
With the development, passengers from Nigeria would only be required to possess negative PCR test document during their travels.
Emirates is the largest airline and the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. Based in Garhoud, Dubai, the airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is owned by the government of Dubai’s Investment Corporation of Dubai.