The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA)
says the recent ban on transit flights from Nigeria to Dubai is “far- fetched”.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had banned transit flights
with Nigerians on board from its airports with effect from February 1, 2021.
In a statement on Monday, Susan Akporiaye, NANTA president,
said the directive which foreclosed transit routes opportunities into Dubai
from other carriers has generated a lot of tension in the travel community.
“We at NANTA believe that such arrangements will enhance the
credibility of the additional COVID-19 protocols into Dubai and encourage
others in the travel business to recover and contribute to building a global
coalition against the impact of COVID-19,” NAN quoted Akporiaye to have said.
“Though the industry is polarised by the Dubai initiative,
including the banning of transit passengers from other airlines to Dubai.
“The fear of underhand competition targeting other carriers
by Emirates is gaining ground and causing palpable apprehension among travel
trade operators and Nigerian travel community.
“This additional requirement from Dubai Airport Authority
and Emirates is far fetched and we crave for a better arrangement, possibly
involving other stakeholders.
“In this pandemic situation, no man is an island.”
She appealed to the Hadi Sirika, aviation minister, to help
intervene and interrogate this development on behalf of the association.
Commenting on the additional rapid antigen COVID-19
requirement introduced by Emirates, Akporiaye said the process would be made
easier if other carriers and their home governments set up rapid response
antigen test at their various airports.
“We are studying the situation and consulting widely as the
new travel restrictions may put additional financial pressures on Nigerian
passengers, ” she said.
“It could also create a monopolistic hold on the route,
Indeed, we don’t know what is going on in the minds of other countries and
their airlines, a situation that may trigger off retaliatory actions.”
Passengers are required to pay a fee at the Lagos and Abuja
airport to have the test done before boarding Emirates flights.
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