Emirates restores Lagos flights, to advise on operations after September

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines says it is restoring flight operations to Lagos, Nigeria, effective September 11, 2022.

Emirates had earlier announced suspension of flights from Lagos effective September 1, 2022, citing its inability to repatriate funds from Nigeria.

The airline in a letter to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had said it would reduce its frequencies in Nigeria from 11 to seven by mid-August over its trapped $85m in Nigeria. 

But in an email sent to its customers on Wednesday, Emirates announced what appeared a temporary return of flight operations to Lagos.

READ: JUST IN: Emirates grounds flights over $85m blocked funds

“We are pleased to inform you that effective from 11th September 2022, we will reinstate operations of our flights.

“Inbound flights from Dubai to Lagos (EK783) and outbound flights from Lagos to Dubai (EK784) will recommence from Sunday, 11th September 2022.

“Lagos flights after 30th September 2022 will be advised in due course.” Emirates said as of July 2022, it had US$85 million of funds awaiting repatriation from Nigeria. “This figure has been rising by more than $US10 million every month, as the ongoing operational costs of our 11 weekly flights to Lagos and 5 to Abuja continue to accumulate,” it said in its letter to Sirika.