Emirates Airline Suspends Flights To, From Nigeria
Barely 48 hours after United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Emirates Airlines – lifted the ban on flights into and out of Nigeria, the carrier dramatically reversed itself, saying it will not accept flights from Lagos and Abuja as from yesterday (June 21).
The carrier had, since March, suspended flights into Nigeria.
According to a statement by the airline, customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel, while those who have been to – or connected through – Nigeria in the last 14 days will not be permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.
The statement reads: “We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking,” said the airline. “Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow.”
Emirates also said flights from South Africa would remain suspended until July 6, in line with government’s directives that restrict the entry of travellers from South Africa into the UAE.
Daily passenger flights to Johannesburg (South Africa) will operate as EK-763, but outbound passenger services on EK-764 remain suspended.
Customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.
The airline had, on Saturday, announced that it would be resuming flight operations in Nigeria from June 23, 2021.
In Dubai’s official Instagram page on Saturday, it announced a travel protocol that as part of easing inbound travel restrictions, Dubai’s Supreme Court Committee of crisis and disaster management had introduced new entry protocols for passengers, effective from June 23, 2021
Source: The Nation Newspaper
Why Check-In Facilities at MMIA Are Not Yet Fixed
The Federal Government’s failure to renew the contract of a foreign firm – Societe International Telecommunication Aeronautiques (SITA) – providing automation for check-in facilities at airports has led to delays in processing passengers for boarding, writes KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR
Traveling procedures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have been difficult for passengers and airlines.
Reason? The check-in facilities at the airport are experiencing hitches, making airlines, passengers and other profiling agencies to spend more then the required time to prepare travellers for boarding.
Though there are complaints by some carriers and passengers, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), investigations have shown, is scaling up efforts to fix them.
Investigations by The Nation further showed that disruptions in passenger facilitation at the MMI for temporary downtime in the check-in system was as a result of the expiration of a 10-year deal between FAAN and Societe International Telecommunication Aeronautiques (SITA).
It was learnt that SITA’s contract with FAAN was extended by six months, but the Geneva-based organisation was not ready for further extension, a development, which has caused hitches in passenger facilitation at the nation’s gateway.
The Federal Government’s failure to renew the contract of a foreign firm – Societe International Telecommunication Aeronautiques (SITA) – providing automation for check-in facilities at airports has led to delays in processing passengers for boarding, writes KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR
Traveling procedures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have been difficult for passengers and airlines.
Reason? The check-in facilities at the airport are experiencing hitches, making airlines, passengers and other profiling agencies to spend more then the required time to prepare travellers for boarding.
Though there are complaints by some carriers and passengers, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), investigations have shown, is scaling up efforts to fix them.
Investigations by The Nation further showed that disruptions in passenger facilitation at the MMI for temporary downtime in the check-in system was as a result of the expiration of a 10-year deal between FAAN and Societe International Telecommunication Aeronautiques (SITA).
It was learnt that SITA’s contract with FAAN was extended by six months, but the Geneva-based organisation was not ready for further extension, a development, which has caused hitches in passenger facilitation at the nation’s gateway. Read More
Source: The Nation Newspaper
Qatar Airways to Fly into Zimbabwe for The First Time
QATAR Airways joins a growing list of airlines flying into Zimbabwe further cementing the country’s status as a safe tourism destination.
The airline with a wide network of routes brings in the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner connecting destinations in Asia, Europe and North America through the Middle Eastern country’s airport.
Flights will start on August 6 with a flight from Doha to Lusaka before the same airplane flies to Harare the following day and to Lusaka before heading to Doha on a three-day weekly schedule on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
This becomes the airline’s fifth and sixth new destinations launched in Africa since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Africa’s inherent potential has become a major draw-card for investment linking destinations on the continent to 140 other destinations in the world.
In a statement Qatar Airways communications department said with the two new routes, the carrier will operate over 100 weekly flights to 27 destinations in Africa.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Mr Akbar Al Baker said the move would support the growth of tourism and economies in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“Africa continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries,” said Mr Al Baker.
“Not only do we continue to rebuild our network after the pandemic, but we are actively expanding it with the addition of these two key destinations. These are the fifth and sixth new destinations in Africa added to our network since the start of the pandemic, taking our total new destinations added across the globe to 10.”
Growing economic activity between Zambia and Zimbabwe with countries in Europe, Asia and America from various points in China had prompted addition of the routes.
The aircraft has a cargo capacity of 30 tonnes, becoming a linchpin in facilitating exports from the two countries.
Boasting 5-star Skytrax ratings on four different occasions together with Hamad International Airport for safety, passengers a guaranteed world class travel.
Source: Chronicle