NewStats: 3,264,023 , 8,182,316 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 10:40 AM 5gd6i

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reversed the ban earlier placed on foreign airlines from accepting engers from Nigeria and Congo which took effect on Monday, December 13, Daily Sun has learned.

Citing the increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases, foreign airlines flying into Dubai had ceased accepting engers from Nigeria and Congo.

Although no foreign airline gave an official statement on the reason for the development or if initial directive came from the UAE government as a retaliatory measure against Nigeria for withdrawing the frequencies given to Emirates airline, an email seen by Daily Sun which emanated from Ethiopian Airline on Monday, December 13, with the subject: Dubai Travel Restriction Update and reference No. PSA12/068/2021, read: “Due to an increasing number of COVID positive engers at destination, it is decided to suspend accepting engers to UAE from Nigeria and Congo DRC only. This is effective December 13, 2021. Please ensure 100 per cent compliance.”

A reliable source within Ethiopian Airline confirmed to Daily Sun that engers from Nigeria that had booked tickets to travel to Dubai on December 13 and had boarded the plane were offloaded. “The excuse from Dubai was that they had gotten 37 positive covid cases, so they had to take measures to restrict movement. But not long after the directive to bar engers was issued, they reversed themselves and are now accepting engers from Nigeria,” the source said.

There are reasons to believe that the diplomatic row between the government of Nigeria and the UAE over allocation of frequencies for Emirates airline and Nigeria’s Air Peace was responsible for the initial decision to bar engers from Nigeria. For over eight months, the government of Nigeria and UAE have been engulfed in a tit-for-tat over Covid-19 regulations and most recently, the allocation of frequencies and slots to Emirates and Air Peace.

After Nigeria lifted COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, the UAE imposed very strict travel guidelines which were in contrast with the FG’s guidelines. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika then imposed restrictions on Emirates from flying into Nigeria. After eight months, the restrictions were lifted and Air Peace resumed flying to Sharjah, while Emirates resumed flying in and out of Nigeria.

But last week, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) withdrew the approval granted to Emirates by the Ministry of Aviation following the refusal of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE to grant equal rights to Air Peace fly to Dubai via Sharjah. The withdrawal of approval took effect on December 12, 2021.

The UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, who is also the head of the country’s GCAA, wrote a letter to Sirika, protesting the withdrawal of Emirate’s frequencies while insisting that Air Peace has been treated fairly.

But Sirika, in leaked audio, described the letter as ‘insulting’ and said that at the inception of this istration, the FG granted Emirates Airlines the approval for 21 flights weekly, 14 to Lagos and seven to Abuja but the UAE refused to grant Nigeria’s Air Peace three weekly frequencies to Sharjah, which the airline requested for, rather, it approved only one frequency weekly. He said the GCAA had attributed its refusal to grant three frequencies to Air Peace to inadequate slots in Sharjah airport. He said even though both countries are losing revenue as a result of the row, the Nigerian Government would continue to protect Nigerian businesses.

A few days ago, however, Emirates discontinued its operations in Nigeria indefinitely and currently, other foreign airlines have stopped accepting Nigerian engers travelling to the UAE.

Reacting to the row, the President of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association of Nigeria, Alex Nwuba, said the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE has to be renegotiated to protect domestic airlines. Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, he said most often, BASA, which is an agreement that provides for civil aviation certifications to be shared between two countries, gives more advantage to other countries instead of giving equal advantage to the signatories.

“If you look at what economies operate, which is a balance of trade, we are at a disadvantage because Emirates can come 21 times, while Air Peace can only go there once. Twenty-one times a week times 365 days, means that Emirates carries about 450,000 engers and at a typical fare, we are talking about half a billion-dollar trade to the UAE. But the UAE says Nigeria will only be granted one frequency. First of all, we have a flawed bilateral agreement which has led to the opportunity for a disadvantaged economy and so, we have to go back to the bargaining table and sort out the frequency and slots. Nigeria doesn’t operate a slot system like the UAE and the UK and this is where the imbalance occurs,” Nwubua said.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/uae-lifts-ban-on-engers-travelling-from-nigeria-congo-into-dubai/

Between UAE and APC, don't know who is more confused...

It's like the country lacks class.

Sit down and share flight schedule between your country's major carrier and Nigeria's carrier, you are doing like Mother in-law and Daughter in-law.

B4 children of hate land and start displaying their stupidity.............

This is Nigeria

AlhajiBitcoin:
Between UAE and APC, don't know who is more confused...

It's like the country lacks class.

Sit down and share flight schedule between your country's major carrier and Nigeria's carrier, you are doing like Mother in-law and Daughter in-law.

They are not confused, countries go through this kind of spat all the time, it's all about national interest and trade advantage.

Before now, these countries treat us like scum, they take advantage of us and our businesses, they threaten our jobs and progress, but not, we are using our own leverage, we are standing up to protect our own national interest, protecting our businesses and Nigerian jobs, same thing they are doing for their country.

At the end of the day, they'll work it out, the icing on the cake is the fact that we sent a strong message to countries like the UAE that Nigeria is ready to fight to protect her interest.

The UK i also about to drop their dumb apartheid red list.

If you don't fight, they'll walk all over you as if you are nothing but a piece of shit1

God Bless President Buhari
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria


Children of 8 will soon arrive to invade this beautiful thread with their hatred

NGpatriot:



I love my President

I love my country

Feel so proud to e a Nigerian.

Who born dem.?

Suffering and smiling

[s]

Joysticks:
Suffering and smiling

[/s]


Speak for yourself, the fact that your life is meaningless and full of sadness and sorrow doesn't mean the same applies to other people.

AlhajiBitcoin:
Between UAE and APC, don't know who is more confused...

It's like the country lacks class.

Sit down and share flight schedule between your country's major carrier and Nigeria's carrier, you are doing like Mother in-law and Daughter in-law.

my brother yes they do

NGpatriot:
[s][/s]


Speak for yourself, the fact that your life is meaningless and full of sadness and sorrow doesn't mean the same applies to other people.

You are a brown envelope er.How much #1k wan do to your life in this Buhari's regime?

NGpatriot:



They are not confused, countries go through this kind of spat all the time, it's all about national interest and trade advantage.

Before now, these countries treat us like scum, they take advantage of us and our businesses, they threaten our jobs and progress, but not, we are using our own leverage, we are standing up to protect our own national interest, protecting our businesses and Nigerian jobs, same thing they are doing for their country.

At the end of the day, they'll work it out, the icing on the cake is the fact that we sent a strong message to countries like the UAE that Nigeria is ready to fight to protect her interest.

The UK i also about to drop their dumb apartheid red list.

If you don't fight, they'll walk all over you as if you are nothing but a piece of shit1

Which area of Nigeria hasnt taken a worse turn in the last few years?


The way you and your paid, online-propagandists dish out glaring lies and untruths is baffling.


We still not long ago this country was given a proper name by former US president.... a shit hole.

Many African countries have recently started to repatriate Nigerians from their countries. This was unheard of before.

Joysticks:
You are a brown envelope er.How much #1k wan do to your life in this Buhari's regime?

When people like you can not formulate any thought or opinion without getting paid 1 kobo for akpu, you just cluelessly and ignorantly assume that other people get paid to formulate an opinion.

Go and sit your ipobian hateful and bitter ass somewhere..

[s]

sotall:
Which area of Nigeria hasnt taken a worse turn in the last few years?


The way you and your paid, online-propagandists dish out glaring lies and untruths is baffling.


We still not long ago this country was given a proper name by former US president.... a shit hole.

Many African countries have recently started to repatriate Nigerians from their countries. This was unheard of before.

[/s]



Typical hatful, bitter and sad ipobian anti Nigerian rubbish, I'm immune to your pain and sorrow, your problem is in your abia village.

Good to know. I like the fact that Nigerian government was not going to back down. UAE know they benefit from Nigerians especially the wealthy Nigerians who go to UAE to shop. I love that Nigerian government will not allow Nigeria to be a country to be pushed over by other nations. UAE better show some RESPECT! Nigeria is not playing with y'all.

Tit for tat is better atimes in diplomacy

Wise business decision by the Emirati

Thia
Is
The
Only
Meaningful
Thing
FG
Has
Done
Since
Past 6yrs

Because
Na
Dem
Dey
Go
Dubai

To
Enjoy
Their
Loots
And
Run
Away
From
Kidnappers

Ok

Zah zu, Zeh

Awesome! This one went well!

..

Great news for all travellers...

I notice most people have become robots anytime it come to issues about Nigeria.
They aren't concerned about whatever the news is about,all they do is come online and start bashing Nigeria,and Gen Buhari.
A Nigerian Government official decided to protect a Nigerian business at the expense of causing a diplomatic row with another country,and some Nigerians will come online and start insulting the country and the official who took this decision, seriously you wonder how some people are able to always write negative comments about Nigeria all the time.
It's very hard to be a wailing wailer all the time,I'm very sure they are the ones paid per post to criticize anything about Nigeria.
Yes things are difficult in Nigeria,Yes I know everything is looking hopeless at the moment,but that doesn't stop me from lauding any good move by Gen Buhari government,and critiquing him whenever I see him and his cabinet make a wrong move.
P.s I learnt gas is now 640 per kilo( from a high of around 850 per kilo) where I leave,Gen Buhari and Mr minister of state for petroleum should try to bring the price lower for the masses.
God bless Nigeria

Ok ooo

Better

inferiority complex dimmits were shaking like the cowards they are because of tiny travelers dependent Dubai actions. You weaklings are unfit and unworthy to be citizens of any country!

I knew it! They would have cried hard. They had almost the largest % of their Customers from Nigeria this festive season. Watch: https://www.bitchute.com/video/TxVcFc2vsmgK/

In other other Nigeria should have taken the insult from UAE in it strife because I do not understand what many of your foolish Igbos are angry about with this decision that was clearly won by the APC govt.

Now that the UAE rescinded it earlier decision does the end not justify the action of the APC led govt or is there something on the matter that only bigotry n hate that you have can see.

sotall:
Which area of Nigeria hasnt taken a worse turn in the last few years?


The way you and your paid, online-propagandists dish out glaring lies and untruths is baffling.


We still not long ago this country was given a proper name by former US president.... a shit hole.

Many African countries have recently started to repatriate Nigerians from their countries. This was unheard of before.