International carrier, Emirates Airline has today, 6 December, resumed its flight operations between Dubai and Nigeria.
Emirates landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos as scheduled.
Both flights from Dubai, EK 785 to Abuja, and EK 783 to Lagos were welcomed with water cannon salutes on landing, as they taxied to the avio-bridges.
Emirates operation to Abuja with EK 785 and 786. EK 785 departs Dubai at 1100 hrs, arriving in Abuja at 1540hrs. The return flight, EK 786 takes off from Abuja at 1900, arriving in Dubai at 0435hrs the next day.
Emirates flight EK 783 to Lagos departs Dubai at 1030hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1540hrs. The return flight EK 784 departs Lagos at 1810hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0415hrs the next day.
The airline said to ensure the safety of travelers, visitors, and the community, Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound passengers arriving in Dubai, including UAE citizens, residents, and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.
Travelers coming from Nigeria must hold a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
The federal government had lifted restrictions on Emirates flights almost ten months after the diplomatic discussions surrounding Covid-19 travel requirements for Nigerian passengers.
Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, said the airline had removed some of its traveling conditions for Nigerian passengers.