THISDAY learnt that SAA returned 75 passengers to Nigeria while Arik Air brought back 50 passengers. Among those deported were Nigerians who have been living in South Africa for several years.
Reacting to the action of the South African government, Nigerian’s major carrier Arik Air announced the suspension of its flights to that country.
In a statement issued by the airline and signed by its head of communications, Adebanji Ola, Arik said it has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all flight operations between Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg, South Africa with immediate effect.
“The decision to suspend the daily B737-800 service between the two financial hubs was taken due to the ongoing dispute between international airlines operating into Johannesburg and the Port Health Authorities over Yellow Fever documentation being presented to authorities at OR Tambo International Airport by passengers.
“Many of the passengers have been detained and refused entry into the country in recent months. The Port Health Authorities cite the reason being incorrect or un-recognised batch numbers on the documentation which is mandatory proof before entrance to the country.”
The airline also said the situation had escalated, culminating in hundreds of Nigerian and West African passengers travelling from the region being refused entry including 50 Arik Air passengers today (March 2, 2012).
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