Emirates Airlines Announces Imminent Resumption of Flights to Nigeria

Emirates Airlines has confirmed the imminent resumption of its flight services to Nigeria, marking the end of a nearly two-year suspension that significantly impacted travel and trade relations between the two countries.

The suspension, which began in 2022, was primarily due to the airline’s inability to repatriate its revenue from Nigeria, leading to a broader diplomatic impasse that included the United Arab Emirates halting visa issuances to Nigerian citizens.

“We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria,” stated Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back on board.”

The popular Lagos-Dubai route, a vital air bridge for business and leisure travellers, will be reinstated, reconnecting Nigerian passengers to Dubai and over 140 global destinations within the Emirates network.

The breakthrough follows a high-level meeting in September 2023 between President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where they successfully negotiated the resolution of the visa ban and discussed new investment opportunities in Nigeria.

According to the official statement, the resumed operations will include both passenger and cargo flights, providing a significant boost to bilateral trade and logistics. The resumption is seen as a major step in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the UAE.