LAGOS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has lifted the suspension it placed on the Emirates from flying to and from the West African country without conditions.

The move came in response to the yearnings of Nigerian travelers and after painstaking negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai-based airline's home country, said Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika in a statement reaching Xinhua on Saturday.

The Nigerian government barred in March the Emirates from flying into and from Nigeria over alleged discriminatory policies on Nigerians as regards COVID-19 protocols by the UAE.

According to reports by local media, Emirates subjected Nigerian travelers to additional rapid antigen tests as against its stipulated negative PCR test at the Lagos and Abuja airports before departure.

Sirika said the UAE has removed some travel restrictions on Nigerians. "We have received a communication from the UAE removing some conditions of travel which we had concerns about. Having done so, we feel we should lift the ban on the suspension of Emirates," he said.

"All the impediments to Emirates have been lifted and the airline can now operate in Nigeria," he added. Enditem

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