Emirates Airlines - Afrikan Heroes

Decline in Passenger Traffic as ‘War’ with Emirates, Etihad Continues

April 5, 2021

Nigeria has continued to witness a decline in passenger traffic at a time of optimism of a recovery due to the opening up of airports and flight activities globally. This sudden drop in projection is not unconnected with the ongoing squabble between the Nigerian aviation authorities and that of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which led to the suspension of Emirates and Etihad from the Nigerian airspace. A recent report puts the decline in international passenger traffic at 20 percent as a result of the ongoing spat.

It could be recalled that the spat which has lasted longer than expected leading to the stoppage of flights from the UAE to Nigeria as a result of disagreement over the appropriate Covid-19 protocols. Dubai Airport authorities subjected travelers from Nigeria to more strenuous checks following cases of fake COVID-19 PCR test results coming from Nigeria. The Nigerian government preferred the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests over the rapid antigen tests which Emirates and other airlines seem to favour. Nigeria’s insistence on PCR led Emirates Airlines to deny many passengers from Nigeria boarding, a decision the Nigerian government fought against. This is even as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests following the publication of new research findings.

OXERA-Edge Health report, commissioned by IATA found rapid antigen tests to be most effective because the best antigen tests provide broadly comparable results to PCR tests in accurately identifying infected travellers. The BinaxNOW antigen test, for example, misses just one positive case in 1000 travellers (based on an infection rate of one per cent among travellers). And it has similarly comparable performance to PCR tests in levels of false negatives. In terms of convenience, processing times for antigen tests are 100 times faster than for PCR testing. Cost-efficient: antigen tests are, on average, 60 per cent cheaper than PCR tests.

According to IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, international aviation would energise the economic recovery from COVID-19, adding that along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re-open their borders to travellers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travellers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re-start,” de Juniac said.

He added that testing requirements are currently fragmented, which is confusing to travellers. Moreover, many governments do not allow rapid testing. If the only options available for travellers are PCR tests, these come with significant costs disadvantages and inconvenience. And in some parts of the world, PCR testing capacity is limited, with priority correctly given to clinical use.

“Travellers need options. Including antigen testing among acceptable tests will certainly give strength to the recovery. And the EU’s specification of acceptable antigen tests offers a good baseline for wider international harmonisation of acceptable standards. We now need to see governments implement these recommendations. The goal is to have a clear set of testing options that are medically effective, financially accessible, and practically available to all prospective travelers,” de Juniac said.

This ongoing disagreement according to the Airline Passenger Joint Committee (APJC) has had a negative impact on international passenger traffic as the withdrawal of the UAE airlines has led a two weeks slump from projected 45 percent to a dismal 15 percent.This is not good for the Nigerian economy and the aviation sector in particular, says APJC.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Nigeria’s Relationship with Emirates Airlines Deteriorates

March 24, 2021

The relationship between the Nigerian aviation authorities and Emirates airlines seem to have gone south as the airline was again banned from flying into the country as a result of what the Nigerian government continues to question Emirates Covid-19 testing regime which they described as discriminatory and lacking any scientific basis.

This is the second time in two months the Nigerian Government has banned the Dubai-based carrier from flying into the country. Emirates normally flies between Dubai and Lagos and Dubai and Abuja. Emirates cargo and emergency flights are exempt from the ban.

It could be recalled that the Nigerian authorities slapped Emirates with a three-day ban on outbound flights in early February because of an airline-imposed COVID-19 testing regime at Emirates that was at odds with the Nigerian Government’s regime. However, the impasse was quickly resolved, and few, if any, Emirates’ flights were impacted.

But the Emirates’ COVID-19 testing regime is firmly back on the Nigerian Government’s radar. The Nigerian aviation authorities and health ministry slapped the airline with a further ban that took effect at midnight on March 17. This time the ban impacts both inbound and outbound passengers. Emirates has confirmed the ban and has suspended passenger flights to Nigeria until further notice.

In addition to accepting COVID-test results from local test centers not on Nigeria’s approved list, Emirates wants its passengers departing Nigeria to have three COVID-19 tests within 24 hours. That includes an initial PCR test, an antigen rapid test at the airport, and a PCR test at the arrival airport. Hadi Sirika, the Nigerian Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika calls the requirement nonsensical adding that “since they insist, their operations remain suspended.”

The Nigerian Government believes a single PCR test with 72 hours of departure should suffice. However, Emirates disagrees. This most recent flight ban was to run for five days but remains in force. Both the Nigerian Government and Emirates say talks are continuing to resolve the issue. “Emirates remains in close dialogue with the relevant regulators and authorities in Nigeria, and we are fully committed to making progress on a resolution to ensure the continuation and expansion of our operations,” the airline said in a statement.

It could be recalled that Emirates has been flying very few passengers on its outbound flights from Nigeria before this present ban. Except for UAE nationals and diplomats, Dubai has banned travelers who’ve been in Nigeria within 14 days of traveling. Passengers from the two groups allowed to travel must adhere to Emirates’ COVID-19 testing rules in order to fly.

However, it is not just Emirates Airlines that have issues over Covid-19 protocols with the Nigerian authorities. Dutch carrier KLM has also faced Nigeria’s displeasure with its COVID-19 testing regime. KLM had faced similar sanctions as Emirates, but according to the Nigerian Government, agreed to unwind their testing regime. As a result, KLM resumed flying passengers in and out of Nigeria from March 15.

Despite Emirates putting its flights to Nigeria on ice, a number of other long-haul airlines continue to fly into the country. Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport is hosting flights by Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, and KLM among others.