Nigeria, EU in closed door meeting over air space restrictions

European Union (EU) has urged the Nigerian government to have a rethink over restrictions placed on KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France.

The request was made on Friday, September 18, 2020 during a meeting between the Presidential task force on COVID-19 and the European Union ambassadors.

Nigeria had announced restrictions on some foreign airlines ahead of the 5th September 2020 resumption of international flights into the country.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Angolan TAG, Air Namibia, and Royal Air Maroc were not approved to operate flights into Nigeria.

He said only approved airlines would be permitted into Nigeria’s airspace.

He listed British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian, AWA, and Middle East Airlines as airlines permitted into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs led Nigeria delegation to the meeting which includes; Minister of Health, Dr Osage Ehanire, Minister of State, Health, Dr Olorunmibe Mamora, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and National Coordinator, Dani Aliyu.

The EU delegation which includes three Ambassadors were led by the EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen.