Emirates’ scheduled flights from Nigeria (Lagos State and Abuja Airports) to Dubai which were supposed to resume this Sunday(September 5)have been suspended again until at least September 19.
This was communicated by an Emirates customer service representative in response to a query on Twitter which reads, “Pls can you confirm to me that emirate airline will commence flight out of Lagos by this Sunday 5th Sept 2021? I will like to travel via Dubai to my destination.”
Dubai-based flagship carrier customer representative said,”Hello Phola, our flights from Lagos are further suspended until 19th September. We’re in the process of updating our website with this information. Thanks.”
Earlier in August, the airline had issued a statement saying that Nigeria passenger flights would be suspended until September 5, 2021.
Emirates Support said cancellation of flights to Nigeria was linked to lack of testing facility available at the airport in Lagos.
The same rules apply to passengers from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Zambia and Indonesia, where there are also no rapid PCR testing facilities at the airports.
However, it has been highlighted that UAE residents can seek permission from either the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, GDRFA, if they live in Dubai, or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, ICA, if they live elsewhere in the country, to return from Nigeria.
Announcing the extension and cancellation of flights suspension last week, Emirates said passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.
The airline advises passengers affected by the changes to contact Emirates regarding rebooking.
By Joyce Mukucha
