Dubai’s Emirates airline announced the resumption of flights to Nigeria starting October 1, 2024, ending a near two-year hiatus.
This follows a period of tension between the two nations due to difficulties Emirates faced in repatriating funds from Nigeria.
The airline suspended flights in October 2022 after the UAE stopped issuing visas to Nigerians.
Both sides appear to have reached an agreement, with Emirates expressing gratitude to the Nigerian government “for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route.”
The Lagos-Dubai route was popular in the past, and Emirates anticipates reconnecting Nigerian travelers to Dubai and its vast network of over 140 destinations.
This resumption also includes cargo flights, potentially boosting trade between the two countries.
The announcement follows a meeting in September 2023 between Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where discussions reportedly included lifting the visa ban and potential new investments in Nigeria.
