Why Emirates Airline is Resuming Flight Operations to Nigeria

Emirates Airlines has concluded plans to resume flight operations to Nigerian airports from October 1.

The airlines’ decision to resume flight operations to Nigeria comes after a two-year suspension, which was primarily due to challenges with repatriating funds from Nigeria amid the country’s foreign exchange crisis. This issue had led Emirates suspending its operations in Nigeria back in 2022.

The announcement of the airline’s return to Nigeria, specifically to Lagos for a start, indicates a positive development in the relationship between Emirates and Nigerian authorities regarding fund repatriation. The resumption of services is likely to be welcomed by travelers, as it will offer them increased connectivity to Dubai and beyond, with access to over 140 cities in Emirates’ network.

Emirates wrote: “We’re back Nigeria! We’ll be resuming services to Lagos from 1 October 2024, and we can’t wait to offer unrivalled connectivity to Dubai and beyond to over 140 cities.”

The airlines’ decision to resume flights to Nigeria reflects an improved level of confidence in the country’s foreign exchange situation and an optimism about the future prospects of its operations in Nigeria.

Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, hinted of proactive steps being taken by both Nigerian authorities and Emirates Airlines to facilitate the resumption of flight operations

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Keyamo revealed that he met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, in Abuja on Tuesday. During the meeting, the UAE Ambassador handed to the Minister a correspondence from Emirates Airlines which suggests a collaborative effort to address the issues that led to the suspension of flights and ensure a smooth return to operations.

The Minister wrote: “Yesterday (On Tuesday), I paid a working visit to the Ambassador of the UAE to Nigeria, His Excellency, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi at the UAE Embassy in Abuja,” Keyamo stated. “He handed me a correspondence from the Emirates Airline indicating a definite date of their resumption of flights to Nigeria. That date will be formally announced by Emirates Airlines in a matter of days.”

Many aviation watchers are excited that such engagements initiated by Keyamo are essential for fostering stronger ties between countries and improving the aviation sector’s efficiency and connectivity.