LAGOS – The Dubai’s Investment Corporation of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), owners of Emirates Airlines, has said that Emirates Airlines has returned to Nigeria to stay.
The airline had about two years ago suspended its operations into Nigeria due to the trapped fund crisis of about $85 million and the stoppage of UAE visa for Nigerians.
A statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media and Communications Barr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that Adil Al Ghaith, Leader of Emirates’ delegation, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Lagos during an exclusive reception organised to celebrate the airline’s inaugural flight to Nigeria.
Ghaith, who is also the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East, and Central Asia, Emirates Airlines, stated that the airline regarded Nigeria as one of its most important routes around in Africa.
He said: “Nigeria has always been one of our most important markets, with 14 weekly flights to and from Lagos and seven to Abuja before the hiatus. We are delighted to be back, and this time, we are back for good.”
He further emphasised the strong ties between the UAE and Nigeria, thanking the Nigerian authorities for their support in making the return possible.
Emirates marked the historic moment as its inaugural flight to Nigeria touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after a two-year break.
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The flight, a Boeing 777/300 (EK 703), had landed at 15:20, signaling the airline’s commitment to resuming operations in one of its key African markets.
Apart from Ghaith, David Broz, Senior Vice President, Aeropolitical and Airline Industry Affairs; Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services, Outstation and Business Support; and Paulos Legesse, Country Manager, Nigeria were also in attendance at the event.
Also, the Nigerian delegation, led by Keyamo, included Capt. Chris Najomo; Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Capt. Alex Badeh Jr.; Director-General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), among others.
To celebrate the return, the statement said that an exclusive reception was organized by Dr. Phil Osagie of JSP Communications on behalf of Emirates Airlines.
Keyamo in his response, said that Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and with its most travelled population, must be a priority for Emirates.
He expressed that the country’s potential to become the continent’s aviation hub made this partnership essential.
He expressed optimism about the future, hinting at broader business opportunities between Nigeria and the UAE beyond the resumption of flights.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of the cake and an exchange of gifts, symbolising the renewed partnership between Emirates Airlines and Nigeria.
