Emirates Airlines has officially announced its plans to recommence flight operations in Nigerian airports from October 1, 2024, after a hiatus of two years. The airline, utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, will initially focus on the Lagos route, with flight EK783 departing Dubai at 09:45 and arriving in Lagos at 15:20. The return journey, EK784, will depart Lagos at 17:30 and reach Dubai at 05:10 the following day.
In a statement released via its official channels, Emirates expressed its eagerness to reconnect with Nigerian travelers and offer seamless connectivity to Dubai and beyond, with access to over 140 cities worldwide. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their support in reinstating the route and emphasized the importance of the Lagos-Dubai service, which has historically been popular among Nigerian passengers.
JUST IN: Emirates Airlines Suspends Nigeria-To-Dubai Flights For 14 Days
The resumption of operations in Nigeria marks a significant milestone for Emirates, which already operates to 19 gateways in Africa with 157 weekly flights from Dubai. Through its extensive network of codeshare and interline partnerships, including collaborations with South African Airways, Airlink, Royal Air Maroc, and Tunis Air, Emirates provides access to an additional 130 regional points in Africa.
The decision to resume flights to Nigeria reflects the strong bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, plays a pivotal role in this relationship, serving as a key economic center. With daily passenger flights set to resume, Emirates SkyCargo will also contribute to enhancing trade links by offering more than 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity to and from Lagos every week.
This announcement follows hints from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, indicating the imminent resumption of Emirates’ operations in the country. The news has been met with anticipation from both business and leisure travelers, signaling a positive step towards the revitalization of air travel between Nigeria and the UAE.