Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano regretted that the country’s partnership with the Emirates Airline to transform the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport had come to a halt.
In March, Emirates pulled away from Nigeria over the dispute on additional rapid antigen tests imposed on Nigerian travellers. The tests posed as a countermeasure to curb fake COVID-19 test results.
The UAE and Nigeria continued to suffer nine months after the airline withdrew services from the country. The UAE lost patronage and revenue from one of its international busiest routes in Lagos, while Nigerians lost their easiest transit corridor in Dubai Airport.
Although Emirates hinted at a resumption of Nigerian operation in July, the plan was cancelled 48 hours later. Nevertheless, the UAE government has restored its open-door policy to Nigerian travellers, despite not seeing a resolution to the conflict.
“We consulted Emirate airlines and they worked with us to upgrade the Kano airport but for COVID-19 and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve Emirates airline’s flight issues with Nigeria,” Governor Ganduje said.
President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, represented by her deputy, Yinka Folami, agreed that tourism infrastructural development in Kano is essential, as the state was able to encourage the travel and tourism trade.
“The airline would have been operating out of Kano by now. That is how serious we are about making Kano a competitive destination,” added the governor.
