Emirates will be stopped from flying into Nigeria effective Sept. 21
FEDERAL Government today revoked its approval granting Emirates airline clearance to fly into Nigeria with effect from Monday the 21st September 2020 as part of the principle of reciprocity that government put in place to protect its sovereignty
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who made this known in a tweet this evening said the decision was reached after a meeting with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had with European Union Ambassadors who sought to review their status.
Sirika’s tweet read:”The PTF sub committee met today with EU Ambassadors to discuss Lufthansa, Air France/KLM ban. The meeting progressed well. Emirates Airlines’s situation was reviewed & they are consequently included in the list of those not approved, with effect from Monday the 21st Sept. 2020
Recall on September 3, 2020 the Minister had reeled out a list of thirteen (13) airlines approved to fly into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, (Some having dual designation) the only two aerodromes open for international operations for now.
Emirates Airlines was among the 13, but with this decision it would seem the United Arab Emirates carrier ceases to fly into the country from the 21st.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is asking the Nigerian government to reverse the restrictions placed on KLM, Lufthansa and Air France. The EU delegations which include three Ambassadors were led by the EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Ketil Karlsen.
They met with the Minister of Foreign Affairsm Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama who led Nigeria delegation to the meeting which includes; Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire, Minister of State, Health, Dr. Olorunmibe Mamora, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and National Coordinator, Sani Aliyu.
