UAE lists conditions to restart flights from Nigeria

Nigeria has been given conditions for resumption of commercial flights between the country and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE Embassy in Abuja made this known in a letter to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amongst other things, the letter stated that only 200 passengers from Nigeria would be allowed into the UAE every two weeks.

“The embassy has the honor to convey the response of the competent authorities in the UAE regarding the ongoing flight halt between the UAE and Nigeria as well as the travel requirements for travelers to the UAE.

“The UAE Government has decided to remove the requirement for the Rapid Antigen test at the airports in Nigeria while demanding the following requirements:

“Number of passengers on inbound flights to the UAE must not exceed 200 passengers for two weeks.

“Only direct flights between the UAE and Nigeria are allowed.

“Passengers need to present a valid negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours before boarding.

“Provide the embassy with updated list of the approved PCR test centers by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the importance of ensuring the accuracy of the passengers’ information, contact details and place of stay during their visit in UAE,” the letter read in part.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on February 5, barred Emirati carriers from the country, for alleging flouting of COVID-19 protocols as well as the introduction of rapid antigen test as a requirement for Dubai travellers against the Nigerian government’s negative PCR requirements.

This led to the UAE banning Nigerian flights for several weeks on end.