Emirates set to resume flight to Nigeria Oct 1

By Matthew Denis

Emirates Airlines has confirmed it will restart flight operations to Nigeria on October 1, ending a suspension that has lasted almost two years and strained travel and business links between both countries.

The airline announced the development in a statement on Thursday, saying its return follows months of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Recall that Emirates suspended flights to Nigeria in 2022 after challenges over the repatriation of ticket revenues trapped in Nigeria due to foreign exchange shortages.

Shortly afterward, the UAE stopped issuing visas to Nigerian travellers, deepening tensions between the two countries.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, described the resumption as a welcomed milestone.

“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 Dubai–Lagos route has historically been one of the airline’s busiest in Africa, serving business travellers, tourists, and Nigerians connecting to more than 140 destinations across the Emirates global network.

The announcement follows high-level discussions held in September last year between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The talks focused on restoring flight connectivity, lifting visa restrictions, and facilitating new investment opportunities between both nations.

Both leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral relations and resolve the foreign exchange repatriation dispute that led to the suspension.

Aside from passenger services, Emirates confirmed that cargo operations will resume, a move expected to boost trade and logistics, particularly for exporters of agricultural produce and high-value goods.