The United Arab Emirates had earlier placed a ban on Nigeria and other African countries since the 18th of October 2022.
Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic were involved.
Thus, members of these African countries were not granted entrance into Dubai, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates(UAE)
This decision was based on the account of trapped funds, failure of the federal government to make dollars abound to the foreign carriers to gain their revenues, misconduct and the attempt to manoeuvre visa regulations, amongst others.
Before this ban was lifted, United Arab Emirates had earlier announced in May that it would begin its flight from Lagos to Dubai this year after deliberations with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Hence, from the 16th of July, Nigerian passport holders wanting to travel to the UAE were advised to begin the process as the Visa ban was lifted.
Amazingly, On Tuesday the 1st of October 2024, the United Arab Emirates flight,
Boeing 777-300ER landed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport at 3:32pm.
The United Emirates Boeing
777-300ER constitutes eight first Class suites, fourty two business class seats, and three hundred and four economy class seats . Also, premium multi-course meal will be available for passengers boarding the flight. This implies that the United Arab Emirates is likely to tour between Lagos to Dubai on a daily basis.
Additionally, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace has agreed with the United Arab Emirates on a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA)This implies that, Nigerian airlines will be able to travel to the United Arab Emirates directly.
According to Minister Keyamo,
“This marks a historic development for Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more options to travelers between the two nations.”
