Nigeria loses 20% passenger traffic over Emirates, Etihad exit
THE suspension of Emirates Airlines and Etihad’s withdrawal from Nigerian airspace has cost the country, at least, a 20 per cent decline in international passenger traffic.
The Guardian learned that the decline was a major setback for air travel’s gradual recovery that earlier climbed to 45 per cent of pre- COVID- 19 traffic.
Meanwhile, foreign airlines have rallied behind the controversial rapid antigen tests as a better alternative to the popular polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) test standard for COVID19. To that effect, the International Air Transport Association ( IATA) has urged governments to accept best- inclass rapid antigen tests following the publication of new research findings.
The Federal Government lately suspended the United Arab Emirates’ ( UAE) national carrier, Emirates, over the arbitrary imposition of rapid antigen testing on Nigerian travellers to UAE, and refusal to reverse the order.
From findings, Emirates and Dubai Airport authorities took the extra safety measures following cases of fake COVID- 19 PCR test results coming from Nigeria, among others, in the wake of a spike in COVID- 19 cases in the UAE.
Similarly, Etihad voluntarily withdrew services from Nigeria though quietly.
Chairman of the Airline Passenger Joint Committee ( APJC), Bankole Bernard, yes
IATA’S Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said restarting international aviation would energise the economic recovery from COVID19.
“Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re- open their borders to travellers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travellers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA- Edge Health report tells us that the best- in- class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re- start,” de Juniac said. He added that testing requirements are currently fragmented, which is confusing to travellers. Moreover, many governments do not allow rapid testing. If the only options available for travellers are PCR tests, these come with significant costs disadvantages and inconvenience. And in some parts of the world, PCR testing capacity is limited, with priority correctly given to clinical use.