United Arab Emirates (UAE) has barred transit flights to Dubai, as it only allow passengers to fly on direct flights to Dubai.
This means that passengers originating from Nigeria to Dubai via any transit point will not be allowed to enter Dubai.
This was disclosed by Rwandair via its Twitter handle on Sunday, January 31, 2021.
Rwandair also suspended lifting passengers originating from Nigeria to Dubai from January 31, 2021 till further notice.
The airline explained that it will continue to operate Kigali – Dubai flights 4 times a week but will not lift passengers from Nigeria to Dubai.
It stated, “Effective February 1, 2021, the United Arab Emirates will only allow passengers travelling from Nigeria to fly on direct flights to Dubai. Passengers originating from Nigeria to Dubai via any transit point will not be allowed to enter Dubai.
“As a result, Rwandair will not lift passengers from Nigeria to Dubai from January 31, 2021 until further notice. Affected passengers will be offered the option to rebook and fly at a later date at no additional cost or request for a refund.”
In the Travel Protocol Update issued by Dubai Airports, the UAE Government said: “Passengers must travel directly from Nigeria to Dubai. No passengers must enter Nigeria to Dubai from any other country/station if they have visited or transited via Nigeria in the last 14 days.”
This is in addition to other COVID-19 protocols like negative test certificate and that passengers are also required to conduct a rapid COVID-19 test and obtain a negative result within four hours of their departure time.
The latest development, it was learnt, has caused unease to travel agents and passengers who have booked other airlines for the Dubai route.
