Emirates, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier, is set to resume flight services to Nigeria starting from October 1st, 2024.
The airline will operate a daily service between Lagos and Dubai, marking a significant development after a suspension that lasted over two years.
The suspension of flights to Nigeria by Emirates began over blocked funds totaling over $85 million. This led to a visa ban on Nigerians by UAE authorities, halting movement between the two countries.
The federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, reopened negotiations with UAE authorities and Emirates Airlines to resolve the issues. This included a visit by Tinubu to the UAE in August, where agreements were reached to lift the visa ban and resume flights.
However, there was a brief setback as the federal government stated that the agreements were still being finalized. Now, Emirates Airlines has announced the resumption of flights, promising customers more choice and connectivity from Nigeria’s largest city to Dubai and its network of over 140 destinations.
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The service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER, with flight EK783 departing Dubai at 09:45hrs and arriving in Lagos at 15:20hrs. The return flight, EK784, will leave Lagos at 17:30hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:10hrs the next day.
Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, expressed excitement about resuming services to Nigeria, noting the route’s popularity with Nigerian customers. He thanked the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing the route.
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While the resumption of Emirates flights is expected to reduce airfares on international routes, the visa ban imposed on Nigerians by the UAE is yet to be lifted. However, sources indicate that the ban will be lifted before the resumption of flights.
Aviation experts believe that Emirates’ return will lead to more flight options and potentially lower prices, but they emphasize the need for fair treatment of Nigerian carriers in Dubai. They urge that any benefits enjoyed by Emirates in Nigeria should be reciprocated for Nigerian carriers in Dubai.
