Emirates Airlines has announced the resumption of its flight operations to Nigeria, nearly two years after suspending services between both countries.
The airline confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday by its Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, expressing excitement over the restoration of the route.
“We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria. 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,” Kazim said.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had halted the issuance of visas to Nigerians in 2022, following Emirates’ suspension of flights due to an inability to repatriate funds trapped in Nigeria’s financial system.
The development strained bilateral relations between both countries and left thousands of Nigerian travellers and businesses seeking alternative carriers for trips to Dubai and other destinations.
Emirates, one of the world’s leading international airlines, said the return of its Nigeria route would reconnect travellers to Dubai and onward to more than 140 global destinations, reinforcing its commitment to African markets.
The resumption follows a series of diplomatic engagements, including a meeting last September between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, which reportedly laid the groundwork for restoring ties and airline operations.
With the reinstatement of services, Emirates is expected to regain its large Nigerian customer base and re-establish its position as one of the most preferred carriers for travel between Nigeria and the Middle East.
Comments