EU Urges Nigeria To Lift Ban on KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, Others

By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General desk)

The European Union (EU), on Friday urged the Nigerian government to reconsider its stand on the restrictions placed on Air France, KLM, and other European airlines.

The EU made the request during a meeting between the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the European Union ambassadors.

Recall that Nigeria, on September 5, had announced restrictions on some foreign airlines towards the resumption of international flights into the country.

The Minister of Aviation, Mallam Hadi Sirika, had announced that some foreign airlines namely Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Air Namibia and Royal Air Maroc would not be allowed to resume flight operations in Nigeria.

He listed British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian, AWA, and Middle East Airlines as airlines permitted into the Nigeria airspace.

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, Mallam Hadi Sirika, and National Coordinator, Alhaji Dani Aliyu.

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