UAE directs Airlines not to fly Nigerians into Dubai

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has directed airlines not to board Nigerians whose final destination is Dubai.

Recall that Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, cancelled the 21 frequencies earlier given to the airline and restricted it to a once-weekly flight into Abuja.

According to the Nation, the Middle East country, may go a step further by tightening the noose by introducing stringent rules for visa applications for Nigerians willing to visit Dubai for medicals, tourism, and business.

Investigations reveal that other airlines including Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Air and other international carriers connecting transit flights from their headquarters/hubs into Dubai are refusing to board Nigerians.

Such carriers, a source hinted, have been directed not to airlift Nigerian passport holders to Dubai.

Following the development, hundreds of passengers are affected by this directive as Ethiopian Airlines on Monday afternoon offloaded their Nigerian passengers to Dubai.

A travel agent who spoke to the Nation, said passengers who had already booked their tickets were shell shocked when they told them that the UAE had instructed them not to pick passengers from Nigeria through their hubs.