Second Batch of Evacuees from US to Pay N1.2m for Tickets

By Adedayo Akinwale

The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York has disclosed that the second batch of Nigerians to be evacuated from United States will pay $1,250 which is equivalent to N562,500 for Economy class and $2,800, which is equivalent to N1,126,000 for Business Class.

The consulate, in a statement issued Saturday, revealed that the prospective evacuees are scheduled to depart Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey on Friday, July 3, 2020 and arrive at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

The statement read: “The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, on behalf of the Nigerian Missions in the United States of America (USA), wishes to announce that the second evacuation flight for Nigerians in the USA is Ethiopian Airlines, Flight No. ET509 scheduled to depart Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey on Friday, July 3, 2020 by 21:15hrs and arrive Murtala Muhammed Int. Airport Lagos (LOS) by 10:35hrs on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

“Consequently, all prospective evacuees duly registered with any of the three Nigerian Missions in the USA should purchase their one-way tickets through www.ethiopianairlines.com at the cost of USD1,250. for Economy class and USD2,800 for Business Class for adult/child fare, including all taxes, with the usual percentage reduction for infants under two years.

“All prospective evacuees who purchased tickets, should forward the name, phone number and contact address of their Next of Kin in Nigeria to cgnny@nigeriahouse.com for confirmation which will be done on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. For further assistance with payments, please contact the following Ethiopian Airlines staff: Dereje: 2028482397, Benjamin: 5712757021 and Million Teka: 9085916400.”

The consulate added that in accordance with the Nigerian Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, all prospective evacuees must present an original Covid-19 negative test result – not older than 14 days at the airport of departure and undergo a temperature check four hours before departure.

It stressed that any intending evacuees without the stipulated test result, or a body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade, or any symptoms suggestive of Covid-19, would not be allowed to check in.

While on board, the consulate added that all prospective evacuees are required to be in possession of a hand sanitizer for intermittent use throughout the journey and wear masks.

All returnees are equally enjoined to adhere strictly to all instructions of Port Health Services (PHS) officials and observe other entry screening protocols on arrival.