By Obasola Olatunde
After nearly two years hiatus, Emirates Airline has announced plans to resume flight operations to Nigeria, marking the restoration of one of the country’s most popular international routes.
The airline disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim.
According to Kazim, the Airline is delighted to renew partnership with the Nigerian government.
“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 development comes after months of diplomatic engagements between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who met in Abu Dhabi last September to resolve long-standing issues affecting bilateral relations.
Emirates suspended operations to Nigeria in 2022, citing its inability to repatriate trapped funds from ticket sales due to foreign exchange restrictions. The United Arab Emirates also stopped issuing visas to Nigerians during the same period, further straining ties between both nations.
The airline said the resumption will reconnect Nigerian travellers to Dubai and over 140 global destinations, reaffirming the UAE’s role as a major travel and business hub for West Africans.
Emirates, one of the world’s leading carriers, has historically maintained strong patronage among Nigerian passengers, particularly on routes linking Lagos and Abuja to Dubai.