The United Arabs Emirates has extended the ban on outbound Nigerian flights till March 20, 2021.

This is coming at a time the federal government is planning to review the operations of the UAE’s mega carrier, Emirates Airlines in Nigeria.

Emirates have so far sustained its in-bound flights to Nigeria, even as it banned its outbound flight since February 4, 2021.

In a statement released by Emirates spokesperson in Lagos with title ‘Update on Flights to/from Nigeria to Dubai until 20 March’, the airline said passengers from both Abuja and Lagos would not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date.

“Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date. Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.

“Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services to Dubai for our customers when conditions allow,” the airline stated.

Recall that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had on February 5 barred the carrier from Nigeria, 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 has degenerated into a situation with the UAE banning Nigeria flights for several weeks on end.

Consequently, the UAE announced on February 14 that there would be an extension of the suspension of flights from Nigeria till March 10, 2020.

This was after it promised to review the ban by February 28, 2020 when it stopped Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier from operating to UAE.