Emirates climbs down after Abuja released part of withheld funds
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Emirates Airlines says it will reinstate Nigerian flights on 11 September, reversing their shutdown from 1 September after embarrassment and international pressure forced Abuja to release part of airlines’ trapped funds.
Emirates had lamented in its quit notice on 18 August its inability to repatriate over $85 million ticket sales revenue, part of the total $464 million grabbed by the federal government to shore up its own foreign exchange (forex) buffer.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released $265 million from the amount on 26 August.
In response, Emirates emailed customers on Wednesday notifying them of its resumption of flights to Lagos.
“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,” the email said, per Vanguard.
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Resumption of four-weekly flights
The PUNCH reports that a notice Emirates sent to travel agents in Nigeria said it would resume four-weekly flights to Nigeria.
The notice, which the newspaper said it obtained from Peacock Travels and Royal Almond Travels, reads in part:
“Operations to Nigeria will be reinstated with 4-weekly Lagos (LOS) flights EFF.11Sep22.
“EK783/784 DXB-LOS-DXB on days 1,3,5,7 will operate as per schedule below:
“EK783 11SEP22-30SEP22 1_3_5_7 DXB DEP 1020 LOS ARR 1500 77WR
“EK784 11SEP22-30SEP22 1_3_5_7 LOS DEP 1815 DXB ARR 0500+1 77WR
“NOTE: Lagos flights beyond 30SEP22 will be advised in due course.”
Difficulty in repatriating funds
Emirates had explained in its statement on 18 August why it was dumping Nigerian flights.
“Emirates Airlines 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,” the statement said.
“Regrettably, there has been no progress. Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective September 1, 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.”