Delta, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, others suspend flights to Nigeria

Mega international airlines based in the United States, Europe, Middle East and other parts of the world have suspended flights operations to Nigeria  as the world battles to stem coronavirus spread.

This came as the Federal Government announced the closure of Lagos and Abuja airports to international flights from  Monday.

As the  number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria increased  from 12 on Thursday to 22 on Saturday, the FG, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, said on Saturday it would close Abuja and Lagos airports on Monday.

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu, in a circular to airline operators on Saturday, said only emergency and essential flights would be exempted from the restrictions.

Nuhu, however, said domestic airlines would continue normal flight operations.

The NCAA’s directive came barely 48 hours after it announced the closure of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano,  Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Following the NCAA’s ban on international flights as Nigeria records more coronavirus cases, findings by our correspondents revealed that Lufthansa German Airlines, US-based Delta Airlines, AirFrance, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Middle East-based Emirates, Qatar and Etihad Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria on Friday and Saturday.

While Delta and Turkish Airlines operated their last flights to the MMIA on Friday, AirFrance, KLM among others operated their last flights to the country on Saturday.

British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic among others are expected to operate their last flights to the country today (Sunday).

Findings at the MMIA and NAIA revealed that some Nigerians and foreigners were rushing to catch the last flights to the country and out of the country.

Travel operators and airport officials confirmed that the few available flights ahead of the Monday closure were fully booked, explaining that some Nigerians and foreigners had brought their travel date forward to escape the imminent airport closure.

– Punch