Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1st September 2022.
The Airline said the decision to suspend its flight operations in Nigeria is to limit further losses and impact on its operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market, owing to ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria, despite making considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.
The statement by its spokeperson reads: “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.”