The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stopped foreign airlines from airlifting Nigerians to its destination (Dubai) as the diplomatic crisis between both countries gets worse.
It was gathered, on Monday, December 13, 2021, that Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Air and other international airlines going to Dubai from their bases refused to board Nigerians, whose final destination is the UAE, as they insisted that they had been directed not to airlift Nigerian passport holders to Dubai.
So far, hundreds of passengers are affected by this directive as Ethiopian Airline a few minutes offloaded their Nigerian passengers to Dubai.
A source at Abuja Airport told newsmen:
UAE says no entry for Nigerian passengers from any airline. Ethiopian just offloaded all passengers heading to Dubai. We are voiding Dubai bound tickets.
READ ALSO: Panic Builds In Zamfara As Bandits Impose N1 Million Levy On Communities
Recall that the Federal Government recently suspended Emirates flights from flying to the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while approving only one weekly flight to Abuja for the airline.
In the emerging aero politics, the government is attributing its decision to the refusal of the airline to grant the three slots requested by Air Peace, the sole Nigerian carrier operating to Dubai via Sharjar.
In retaliation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had via a letter withdrawn the Ministerial approval of Emirates Airlines’ winter schedule.
In the letter dated Thursday, December 9, 2021, with reference number NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329 and addressed to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines, the NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said:
I wish to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines Winter schedule. This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number: FMA/ATMD/501/C.104/XV/536 dated 1st December 2021. This withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12th December, 2021 at 2300z.
Please kindly note, henceforth, Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.
