BEVERLY HILLS, September 03, (THEWILL) – With international flights out of Abuja and Lagos set to resume on Saturday, September 5, 2020, Nigeria Thursday announced international carriers that have been approved to fly into the country, banning flagship European Union-based carriers – Air France, KLM and Lufthansa. Other carriers affected are middle-East based Etihad Airways and African operators – TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Namibia, Rwanda Air and Royal Air Maroc.
Some of the approved airlines are Egypt Air, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, AWA, Kenya Airways, Middle East Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, AWA, and Middle East Airlines.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who spoke Thursday during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, announced the development.
This is what he said: “At this point, it is important that we announce the airlines that are allowed for operations into the country. The ones not approved are Air France, Middle East Airlines is approved for only Lagos (airport). British Airways (is) approved – allowed entry under Covid-19 protocol.
“The reason for Air France is that tourists’ and business visa holders are not allowed entry. KLM not approved for the same reason as Air France. Delta Airlines, no restrictions – USA, we have an Open Skies with them and they also allow us in.
“Qatar Airways is allowed and approved under Covid-19 protocol. Etihad, not approved. Ethiopian Airlines allowed entry under Covid-19 protocol. Egypt Air approved, allowed entry under Covid-19 protocol.
“Rwanda Air, not approved. Air Peace, not applicable, they are our own carrier in Nigeria, we thank them. Virgin Atlantic, approved, allowed entry under Covid-19 protocol. Air Namibia, not approved. Asky, approved. Royal Air Maroc, not approved. African World Airways, Ghana, approved.
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“Air Cote d’Ivoire, approved. Lufthansa, not approved. Kenya Airways approved. Emirates Airlines, approved. Turkish Airlines, approved. TAAG Angola Airlines, not approved. South African Airways not applicable as international flights are yet to resume.”
The minister said there would be sanctions if the airlines and passengers flout coronavirus protocols.
He said passengers who fail to comply with the Covid-19 protocol would be suspended from travelling for six months while defaulting airlines will be fined $3, 500 per passenger.
Sirika also issued further guidelines for arriving and departing international passengers.
According to the Minister, “all intending travellers to Nigeria must have tested negative for COVID-19 by PCR in the country of departure before boarding. This has not changed. Tests done more than four days before departure are not valid. This is very important. And persons will not be allowed to board; but for the 72-hours minimum, this is advisory and will not preclude boarding.”
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