Why FG Lifted Ban On Emirates Airlines – Sirika

The decision of the United Arab Emirates to issue visas to Nigerians was a major reason the Federal Government agreed to lift the ban on Emirates Airlines.

The Federal Government had on September 21 barred Emirates Airlines from operating in Nigeria.

The decision to ban the Airline from flying into Nigeria was taken after a meeting between members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and European Union Ambassadors.

But two weeks after the ban by the Federal Government, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika said on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria

He stated, “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria.

“Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks.”

Before the resumption of international flights in the country, on September 5, 2020, the Federal Government had announced a ban on Air France, KLM, Etihad, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa, TAAG Angola Airlines.