Emirates extends suspension of Nigeria flights until August 15

Airline experiencing greater volume of calls than anticipated

Emirates said customers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the past 14 days will not be permitted on flights bound for Dubai. Abdel Hadi Ramahi / Reuters

Emirates airline said flights to and from Nigeria will remain suspended until at least August 15.

The Dubai-based airline confirmed that customers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the previous 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai.

Affected flight bookings have been cancelled, the airline said.

The airline also said that it was experiencing a "greater volume of calls than anticipated".

Emirati officials on Tuesday said UAE residents in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda could apply to return.

Expats who were abroad when restrictions were imposed, largely because of the Delta variant outbreak in their home countries in April and May, scrambled to apply for permission from the UAE's ICA and GDRFA immigration authorities and catch the first flights home.