Emirates Airlines has resumed its flights to Nigeria, with the first aircraft landing at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday after a two-year hiatus.
According to The PUNCH, yhe airline had suspended its operations in August 2022 after $85 million in revenues became trapped in Nigeria due to foreign exchange restrictions.
The Nigerian government’s inability to repatriate the funds forced Emirates to halt its flights.
At the time of reporting, the previously blocked funds have successfully been repatriated.
The resumption of Emirates’ operations follows extensive diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
A key part of the negotiations involved a high-level Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who traveled to the UAE on Friday to finalize the terms for the airline’s return.
The talks also resulted in a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement, strengthening aviation ties between the two nations and ensuring a more collaborative framework moving forward.
On Tuesday, it was airline arrived passengers at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
For now, incoming passengers are directed to the old terminal, while outgoing passengers are being processed at the newly constructed terminal. Although the flight had a smaller-than-usual passenger load, those who flew with the airline commended its services, appreciating its return.
Emirates had previously announced that it would resume its operations to Nigeria on October 1, 2024.
Yhe return flight, EK 783, was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon landing, marking the airline’s return to the Nigerian market.
Reacting to the development, President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, Kingsley Nwokoma, expressed his pleasure with the airline’s return, emphasizing the mutual benefits for both Nigeria and the UAE.
“We are happy with their return, and we believe that with the resumption of their operations now, Air Peace too will be able to fly to the UAE because I understand they stopped due to the UAE visa ban on Nigerians,” Nwokoma said. He added, “The more, the merrier, and with this, they have also given more options to the flying public. Emirates is welcome back.”
