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

Emirates Airlines has announced suspension of flights from Nigeria effective September 1, 2022.

The is due to the airline’s inability to repatriate its funds from Nigeria.

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

There are fears that other airlines may tow this path as unrepatriated funds belonging to foreign airlines have hit over $600 million, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could not meet the airlines’ request for dollars.

In line with the bilateral air service agreements (BASAs), foreign airlines are expected to issue their tickets in Naira while the CBN provides the dollar equivalence for repatriation to their home countries.

In a statement on Thursday morning, Emirates said it would stop all its flights to Nigeria, adding it might re-evaluate its decision if there was any positive development in the coming days.

READ: Dana Airlines no longer air worthy, loses licence

The statement read: “Emirates has tried every avenue to address our ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria, and we have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.

“Regrettably there has been no progress. Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1 September 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers; however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.

“Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, we will of course re-evaluate our decision. We remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations.”