By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Nigerian citizens especially those who have businesses in Dubai are lamenting over the continued face-off between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE) which necessitated ban on Emirates Airlines flight operations in Nigeria.
Dubai has become a favorite destination of Nigerians both as a final and transit point, due to availability of direct flights operated by Emirates Airline with its unique services which endeared it to the hearts of many Nigerian passengers especially businessmen and women.
But for nearly six months now, in early February to be precise, UAE barred passengers from Nigeria from flying into Dubai due to the Nigeria’s government’s refusal to allow the airline conduct the rapid test for Covid-19.
The embargo was expected to last for three or four weeks but it was extended in March with a view to resume flight operations in Nigeria in June.
Prompt News reports Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)in retaliation, also banned Emirates from flying into Nigeria due to non-compliance with Covid-19 protocols as well as the introduction of a rapid antigen test as a requirement for Dubai travelers.
As this diplomatic spat on PCR testing continues and Emirates Airline unable to operate its three flights a day from Nigeria to Dubai, life has become very difficult for the citizens of both countries especially Emirates Airline’s loyal customers.
Majority of these are business owners in Nigeria and UAE, who are suffering huge financial losses with the continued suspension of Emirates flight operations in Nigeria.
Among those affected by the imbroglio is Chief Joseph Maduakor, Managing Director of Joe-Cassidy International Limited, an Emirates frequent flyer who said the suspension of flights has caused him big economic hardship.
According to Maduakor whose merchandising business cuts across big cities in Nigeria said he and other businessmen now travel to Nigeria’s neighbouring countries to catch Emirates flights to Dubai to buy their goods at a higher cost.
Another importer,Alhaji Olugbenga Adekoya has asked Nigeria and UAE to as a matter of urgency resolve their differences to save the citizens of both countries from further travel hassles.
Said he: I am surprised that this issue has lingered on for long even as Nigeria and UAE are important travel partners and stand to lose from the on-going diplomatic spat which has seen Emirates Airline caught in the middle of fueding nations”.
Ichie Fabian Obiechi of Fab United Ventures Limited, argued that both countries and their relevant agencies are losing heavy revenues as long as the embargo remains.
“I expect both countries to convey a meeting within the next couple of weeks to resolve the disagreement because both are losing revenues. At a aviation industry is trying to recover from Covid-19 pandemic loses, Nigeria and UAE cannot afford to continue to bring more misery to stakeholders and passengers in particular”, Adekoya concluded.
PromptNews however gathered that Emirates Airline is ready to resume flights operation in Nigeria as soon as possible but will wait for the resolution of the Covid-19 protocols by Nigeria and UAE as Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) are between nations but are operated by airlines.
