Nigeria lifts restrictions imposed on Emirate Airlines in the wake of Covid-19 spat

NIGERIA'S federal government has lifted the ban it placed on Emirates Airline flying into the country ending the year long spat with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that led to both nations imposing travel restrictions on each other.

Last year, Nigeria barred Emirates Airlines from operating in the country as from September 21 as part of its imposition of reciprocal restrictions on airlines who country do not allow Nigerian flights into their airspace. Emirates Airline is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, which is owned by the government of Dubai, was barred because the UAE imposed travel restrictions on Nigerians under the guise of fighting Covid-19.

This weekend, however, Nigeria has ended the spat with aviation minister Hadi Sirika, revealing that the move came in response to the yearnings of Nigerian travellers. He added that the Nigerian government had entered into painstaking negotiations with the UAE after which both sides reached an agreement.

Mr Sirika said: “We have received communication from UAE removing some of the conditions of travel of which we had concerns about. Having done so, we feel we should lift the ban on the suspension of Emirates Airlines.

”All the impediments on Emirates have been lifted and that the airline can now operate in Nigeria." He added that he appreciated the understanding of Nigerians in spite of the hardships experienced as a result of the spat between the two countries.

Foreign minister Geoffrey Onyema, noted that the negotiations which led to the renewed relationship was a balanced one and was a win-win for both countries. Mr Onyema, who reiterated that Nigeria had always had an excellent relationship with UAE, added that the negotiations had made the relationship even stronger.