The Federal Government on Thursday revoked its clearance for Emirates Airlines’ winter schedule, resulting in the carrier’s daily flights to Abuja being reduced to once a week from daily previously.
NIFA made the announcement in an official letter dated December 9, 2021, sent to the Country Manager of Emirates Airlines Nigeria at Victoria Island in Lagos and signed by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Following the withdrawal of Ministerial Approval of Emirates Airlines’ Winter Schedule, the airline was told to follow the new direction in a letter bearing the reference NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329 and titled “Withdrawal of Ministerial Approval of Emirates Airlines Winter Schedule.”
“I’d like to tell you that the approval granted to Emirates Airlines’ Winter Schedule has been withdrawn,” the letter stated in part. In a letter dated December 1st, 2021, with reference number FMA-ATMD-501-C-104-XV-536, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressed their support for this project.
This withdrawal will take effect at 2300 UTC on Sunday, December 12, 2021.” For your information, please be advised that, effective immediately, Emirates Airlines has been granted authorisation for only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.
In this regard, please follow my instructions. Please accept my heartfelt greetings and best wishes.”
Several copies of the letter were sent to the UAE’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, as well as the Director-General, General Authority of Civil Aviation in the United Arab Emirates.
A ban on Emirates Airlines flights to and from Nigeria was lifted by the Federal Government around a week ago, after the carrier had been barred from operating into the country for several months due to concerns about the requirements of the United Arab Emirates airline in the administration of COVID-19.
