By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The management of Emirates Airlines has agreed to reinstate flight operations to Nigeria after it earlier threatened to suspend them due to foreign exchange (FX) scarcity in the country.
Last month, the airline operator issued a statement saying it would stop taking passengers from and to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate over $80 million to its home country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, the federal government intervened in the matter and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released about $265 million to the financial system to allow investors to move their trapped funds.
The suspension of flights was earlier scheduled to commence today, Thursday, September 1, 2022, but as a result of the quick intervention of the federal government, the company has shelved the action.
In a message to its customers, the organisation said it has reinstated its operations in the country, stating that passengers would be able to fly to and from Dubai to Lagos from next week.
“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,” Emirates said in the notice to its customers.
Modupe Gbadeyanka