The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has suspended flights from
Nigeria due to the the new Coronavirus variant, Omicron.
Earlier on Wednesday, there were unconfirmed reports that
there were preparations for repatriating Nigerians in the Kingdom over Omicron.
However, several sources in the consulate of Saudi Arabia in
Kano as well as officials at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA)
confirmed to Daily Trust that there was an order to restrict flights from
Nigeria over Omicron.
Since the Kingdom lifted the ban on Nigerian flights, many
people, especially from Kano, have visited the country for lesser Hajj, while
others are waiting for scheduled dates to visit.
But an official of the Saudi Consulate in Kano, who chose
not to be named because he was not instructed to talk to the media, told Daily
Trust on Wednesday that there was an order to restrict Nigerian flights in
order to check the spread of Omicron in the Kingdom.
An official at the Kano Airport also confirmed to our
reporter that already a circular had been issued that all lesser Hajj trips
should be cancelled, due to the development.
“Yes it is true because a circular was issued that all
Lesser Hajj flights should be canceled and there will be no more flights from
Nigeria until further notice.
“I think they are following suit the decision of other
countries like UK to prevent against having the virus in the kingdom,” the
source told our correspondent under anonymity.
However, one of the top Airline Operators said he could not
confirm the development as two flights, Qatar and Badar Air, left Abuja for
Jeddah, on Wednesday morning.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi
Arabia later confirmed the flight suspension in a circular to all airlines
operating in the Kingdom.
Nigeria currently has six confirmed cases of Omicron virus.
The Federal Government had rejected the ban imposed on
Nigeria by UK and Canada over Omicron.
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