The Federal Government has lifted the suspension placed on Emirates Airline in Nigeria.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja,
According to Sirika, the move came in response to the yearnings of Nigerian travelers and after painstaking negotiations with the UAE, the Emirates Airlines home country.
He added that UAE has also removed all travel restrictions on Nigerians.
“Today we 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.
“From today (Friday), all the impediments on Emirates have been lifted and that the airline can now operate in Nigeria,” he said.
Sirika expressed his appreciation for the understanding shown by Nigerians despite the obvious hardships experienced because of the spat between the two countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema who was also at the briefing where the announcement was made noted that the Nigerian Government recognises that the United Arab Emirates has a responsibility to protect the lives of her citizens thus whatever measures that they had taken was for the interest of her citizens.
He said the negotiation that led to the renewed relationship was a balanced one and that it was a win-win for both countries.
The Federal Government had barred Emirates from flying into Nigeria over discriminatory policies on Nigerians as regards to COVID-19 protocols by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).