The United Arab Emirates has jettisoned the Rapid Antigen Testing for Nigerian air travellers bound for the Middle East country following the suspension of its national carrier, Emirates Airlines by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The nation’s regulatory agency had suspended Emirates from operating into the country for insisting on conducting the Rapid Antigen Testing on Nigerian passengers 4 hours before flights.
In a Letter to country Manager of Emirates in Nigeria a copy cited by Atqnews, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Agency, NCAA, asked Emirates to immediately suspend its flights until it authorized to do so.
Responding to the suspension, the United Arab Emirates in letter sent to NCAA, said it has granted approval for the airline to withdraw the requirement for the Rapid Antigen Testing prior to departure of Emirates flights from Nigeria with immediate effect until such a time the required infrastructure is made available by the Nigerian government.
According to a statement by NCAA, it said: “Based on the foregoing, the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) gas directed the immediate lifting of the suspension of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria.
“Emirates airlines will be duly informed of ongoing enforcement actions by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), with regards to the established non-compliances to PTF directives and protocols as enumerated in our letter of 4th February 2021.
