Emirates Airlines has resumed flights to Nigeria, marking the end of a two-year suspension that began in 2022 due to unresolved financial issues between the airline and the Nigerian government.
The flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) touched down at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) on Tuesday, a move welcomed by both the Nigerian aviation industry and travelers.
Emirates’ return is seen as a major development, with Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressing optimism about the benefits this will bring to Nigerians and the nation’s aviation sector.
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Keyamo was among the passengers aboard the Emirates flight that arrived in Lagos. Upon his arrival, he highlighted the positive outcomes of the airline’s return, stating that it would not only foster a healthier aviation industry in Nigeria but also promote more competitive pricing for travelers.
“We signed a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), defining our relationship altogether, again making it healthier, more open, and for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” Keyamo announced during a press briefing at the Lagos airport.
He emphasized the role of competition in driving down consumer costs: “With this, we have more competition on different international routes now. That is what it’s all about—to ensure healthy competition. A healthy competition leads to competitive pricing for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Keyamo also reassured the public that the new agreement not only secures Emirates’ presence in Nigeria but also opens the door for Nigerian carriers to fly to any destination in the UAE. This prospect could significantly enhance the country’s aviation landscape.
The Emirates-Nigeria Saga
Emirates Airlines initially suspended its operations in Nigeria in November 2022, a decision rooted in a significant financial dispute. At the heart of the matter were the airline’s funds, amounting to about $85 million in revenues, trapped in Nigeria due to the country’s foreign exchange crisis.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had imposed strict currency controls, limiting the ability of foreign airlines to repatriate their earnings. For Emirates, this represented a substantial financial burden, forcing the airline to halt operations to avoid further losses.
The issue of trapped funds was not unique to Emirates. Several international airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, and others, faced similar challenges, as they struggled to access foreign currency needed to repatriate earnings from their operations in Nigeria.
However, Emirates’ decision to suspend flights was seen as a critical turning point, putting pressure on the Nigerian government to address the mounting concerns of foreign carriers. The situation was compounded by Nigeria’s forex crisis which has seen the naira decline to its lowest on record.
The suspension of Emirates’ operations disrupted travel plans for thousands of Nigerians, particularly those with strong business and personal ties to the UAE, including Dubai, a major global hub for business and tourism. The absence of Emirates meant fewer flight options, leading to increased fares on alternative carriers and creating difficulties for Nigerian travelers and businesses.
After months of back-and-forth discussions, a breakthrough came in 2023 when Nigeria and the UAE began negotiating a resolution. Keyamo, who had been involved in the negotiations, played a pivotal role in securing a new deal that allowed for the resumption of Emirates’ services. In April, the airline sent a letter confirming that the major issues had been resolved, signaling its readiness to restart flights.
The final agreement was reached on September 27, 2024, when both Nigeria and the UAE agreed on reciprocal rights under a new BASA, enabling Emirates to resume operations while also granting Nigerian airlines increased access to the UAE market.
“This agreement was not just about getting Emirates back in the air in Nigeria,” Keyamo explained. “It was about establishing a more transparent and beneficial relationship for both countries. Nigerian carriers now have the opportunity to operate to the UAE, and this will create a more competitive market, which ultimately benefits travelers.”
With Emirates now back in operation, the Nigerian aviation sector can expect increased connectivity, particularly to major global destinations via Dubai. This will provide Nigerian travelers with more options, likely reducing fares and increasing convenience. The new BASA will also promote further collaboration between the two countries, fostering more trade and investment opportunities.
Keyamo stressed that Emirates’ return was not a short-term fix but part of a broader strategy to restore confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“This isn’t just about one airline returning; it’s about creating a stable environment where international airlines can thrive, and Nigerian airlines can expand their reach,” he said.
The resumption of Emirates flights is also expected to inspire other airlines to continue operating in Nigeria, reducing the likelihood of similar suspensions in the future. Additionally, local airlines stand to benefit from increased opportunities to operate in the UAE, potentially allowing them to tap into lucrative international markets.
While the airline’s return is being celebrated, questions about the sustainability of Nigeria’s foreign exchange policies and the ongoing financial pressures facing international carriers operating in the country still linger. For now, however, Emirates’ return is seen as a significant win for both Nigerian travelers and the broader business community, with hopes that the lessons learned from this saga will help to prevent a similar situation in the future.