Emirates airlne is suspending all flights between Nigeria and Dubai from Monday.
This was contained in a message posted on its website where the airline said its last flight to operate between Dubai and the cities of Lagos and Abuja, will be on December 12.
“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue,” the airline said.
“Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”
Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin, the airline said, giving customers the option to hold on to their bookings for when flights resume.
The suspension comes just after Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has withdrawn the approval granted to Emirates Airlines by the Ministry of Aviation due to the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to Air Peace Airlines to fly to Dubai via Sharjah.
The withdrawal of approval which commences effect from December 12, 2021, means that Emirates Airlines can only fly into Abuja (Nigeria) just once weekly on Thursdays, while its Lagos flight is suspended.