August 31, (THEWILL) – International carrier, Emirates, has announced its decision to reinstate operations of its flights which include inbound flights (EK783) from Dubai to Lagos and outbound flights (EK784) from Lagos to Dubai.
The flight reinstatement will commence with its Boeing 777 effective Sunday, 11th September, 2022.
Emirates Airlines had in August 13th, 2022 announced the airline’s decision to suspend all flights from Nigeria, effective from 1st September, 2022, citing their inability to repatriate their money accruing from tickets in Nigeria.
But the Federal Government of Nigeria recently released over $265 million to the airlines to enable them repatriate their trapped funds in the country.
Experts are of the view that the recent release of $265 million, may have encouraged Emirates and other foreign carriers to have a rethink on their decision to stop or suspend their operations in Nigeria.
In his reaction, Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President Africa & Middle East “lIATA welcomes the Nigerian Government’s release of $265m of airlines’ blocked funds. We will continue to engage with it on expediting the release of the remaining amount, so that airlines can continue providing the connectivity Nigeria requires without disrupting and harming its economy and jobs.
“We encourage other countries, in Africa and elsewhere, that are blocking the repatriation of foreign airlines’ funds, to follow Nigeria’s example and release the money they are withholding. Without it, airlines cannot afford to serve those countries. This would be detrimental to the people and businesses that depend on the market connectivity those airlines provide.”
IATA speaks and leads the industry on matters of common interest, while IATA cannot speak for individual airlines, we hope the release of blocked funds with assurances and safeguards to prevent a recurrence, will persuade affected carriers to continue serving Nigeria.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
