(4 minutes read)
- Competition is set to resume on the high-traffic Lagos-Dubai-Lagos route, as Air Peace and Emirates Airlines restart flight services
- The two carriers are resuming their operations, after a halt on account of the disagreements on COVID-19 travel protocols. This has caused a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Both countries decided to suspend the operation of direct flight since last nine months
- Even then both are countries hedging their re-launch citing the possible disruption to be caused by the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Competition is set to resume on the high-traffic Lagos-Dubai-Lagos route, as Air Peace and Emirates Airlines restart flight services.
The two carriers are resuming their operations, after a halt on account of the disagreements on COVID-19 travel protocols. This has caused a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both countries decided to suspend the operation of direct flight since last nine months. Even then both countries are hedging their re-launch citing the possible disruption to be caused by the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Industry watchers opine that the Nigerian travellers would be the main beneficiaries of attendant price competition and choices on the popular transit corridor. Nigerian flag carrier, Air Peace, resumed Lagos-Dubai (via Sharjah) operations on December 1. Emirates is planning its re-launch on December 5 date with flights in and out of Lagos and Abuja daily.
The United Arab Emirates removed the controversial Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for COVID-19 as a prerequisite for travelling to the Middle East country for Nigerians and some other countries in its recent protocol.
The Aviation Business Management Team-Dubai Airports, indicated on November 26 that RDT would no longer be required for all flights for passengers travelling to Dubai from Nigeria, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.
Abuja swiftly responded to this gesture by lifting the ban it previously placed on UAE’s Emirates Airline’s flights in March. To ensure the safety of travellers, visitors and the community, Dubai requires COVID-19 PCR tests for all inbound passengers arriving in Dubai, including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Travellers from Nigeria must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has designated laboratories for passengers departing Nigeria and travellers must obtain their certificate. They (travellers) also need to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International Airport. Passengers flying to Nigeria have to meet the requirements of their destination.
