Nigeria suspends airline for violating virus protocol

By Olarewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria suspended a Dubai-based airline on Friday for alleged violations of COVID-19 guidelines in its operation.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's Director General Captain Musa Nuhu said in a letter to Emirates Airline that it violated COVID-19 protocol for air operations as prescribed by the country's Presidential Task Force (PTF) on coronavirus management. He said the aviation authority acted on the PTF's recommendations.

Records of Emirates Airline's flights from Lagos and Abuja show the airline has not been in compliance with the guidelines given by the PTF, he disclosed.

Nuhu also said the airline erred by continuing airlift of passengers from Nigeria, using the rapid antigen tests conducted by laboratories not approved by regulatory authorities.