DUBAI- The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced through his X account on Sunday that Emirates Airline (EK) is set to resume flight operations in Nigeria in the near future.
Keyamo revealed that he had discussions with senior officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier, and they will soon disclose the precise date for the commencement of operations.
Emirates to Restart Nigeria Flights
The minister mentioned that the discussions he had with Emirates Airline representatives regarding their Dubai to Nigeria flights occurred during the Dubai Airshow last week.
He further stated that the administration led by President Bola Tinubu is diligently addressing certain details related to the resumption.
Keyamo wrote, “While at the Dubai Airshow last week, I engaged in productive discussions with the key executives of Emirates Airlines regarding the reinstatement of flights from Dubai to Nigeria, an initiative actively supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are currently finalizing the finer points, and the airline will soon announce the precise date for the resumption of these flights.”
During the biennial airshow event, Keyamo also revealed that he explored the pavilions of leading aviation and aerospace industries worldwide.
He shared that the experience inspired him to dedicate additional efforts to “organizing Nigeria’s own version of the Airshow in 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria, in collaboration with the private sector.”
Suspension Since Last Year
In October 2022, Emirates Airlines halted its flight operations to Nigeria due to challenges in repatriating funds stuck in the country.
The airline experienced two suspensions in the previous year, with the first occurring in August 2022. Emirates Airlines attributed the suspension to the $85 million revenue trapped in Nigeria.
Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the UAE in September, Ajuri Ngelale, his spokesman, announced that the visa ban on Nigerians had been lifted, and both Emirates and Etihad would resume flights to Nigeria.
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