Emirates airline has suspended all flights to Nigeria effective from December 13, 2021.

The airline disclosed this in a statement on its website Friday, explaining that all flights between Dubai and Nigeria have been suspended.

“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue, the statement reads in part.

The showdown follows the restriction Emirates Airlines flight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NCAA withdrew the approval granted to Emirates Airline by the Ministry of Aviation following the refusal of UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to grant equal rights to Air Peace fly to Dubai via Sharjah.

Flights between Nigeria and Dubai resumed barely two weeks ago after months diplomatic brickbats between the two countries over COVID-19 regulations for travellers.

Emirates added that “The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja. Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.”

Read full statement below:

Flights to and from Lagos and Abuja

With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.

The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja

Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.

Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.

Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.

In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking

Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.