Menu Close

Emirates resumes flight operations to Lagos

*The United Arab Emirates-based airline informs its customers and other air travellers that effective from September 11, 2022, ‘we will reinstate operations of our flights’ to Lagos, Nigeria 

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Emirates Airlines has announced it decision to restore flight operations to Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos.

ConsumerConnect learnt the aviation company announced this development via e-mails to its customers Wednesday, August 31.

Emirates Airlines stated: “We are pleased to inform you that effective from 11th September, 2022, we will reinstate operations of our flights.

“Inbound flights from Dubai to Lagos (EK783) and outbound flights from Lagos to Dubai (EK784) will recommence from Sunday, 11th September, 2022.”

It said in the e-mails: “Lagos flights after 30th September 2022 will be advised in due course.”

It is recalled that the company’s announcement of resumption of flight operations to the West African country came two weeks after the UAE carrier recently suspended flight operations to Nigeria.

Emirates had cited its inability to repatriate its ticket sales earnings in Foreign Exchange (Forex) from Nigeria.

The airlines had said in a letter addressed to Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation: “We have had no choice but to take this action, to mitigate the continued losses Emirates is experiencing as a result of funds being blocked in Nigeria.

“As of July 2022, Emirates has US$85 million of funds awaiting repatriation from Nigeria.”

Emirates stated: “This figure has been rising by more than $US10 million every month, as the ongoing operational costs of our 11 weekly flights to Lagos and 5 to Abuja continue to accumulate.”

The Emirates’ move at the time followed concerns raised by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) over the issue, according to report.

IATA had said foreign airlines’ funds trapped in Nigeria rose from $450 million May this year to $464 million in July.

While the Federal Government said Nigeria was having a Forex exchange crisis, and thus could not meet some responsibilities, including revenue repatriation by foreign airlines, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later released $265 million to the airlines to ease off the Forex challenge.

The IATA also commended the Nigerian Government’s step.

The aviation Association noted that it would boost foreign airlines’ to continue their service in Nigeria.

Kindly Share This Story

 

 

 

Kindly share this story