For the first time in two years, an Emirates flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Lagos on Tuesday.
The United Arab Emirates, UAE, flag carrier resumed operations after suspending flights in 2021 due to unresolved issues, including the airline’s trapped funds in Nigeria.
Flight EK 783, a Boeing 777-300ER, touched down at the old terminal of MMIA at 3:32 PM. However, the flight reportedly arrived with several empty seats, reflecting a subdued return to operations.
“The flight was not full at all but as usual, the services were very good. And I think this is understandable being the first flight after many years,” said one passenger to Leadership News.
Airport officials disclosed that departing passengers were processed through the newly opened terminal, while those arriving were directed to the Old Terminal.
The Boeing 777-300ER has a seating capacity of 392 passengers, but the sparse number of travelers on board suggests that the airline’s return to the Nigerian market will take some time to regain momentum after the extended hiatus.
Nonetheless, the resumption marked a significant step toward restoring full international operations at MMIA.
READ ALSO: Nigeria, UAE agree to commence direct flights soon
In November 2022, Emirates suspended flight operations to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate its $85 million revenue trapped in the country.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, on April 8, 2024, announced that he received a letter from the airline confirming that all the issues have been resolved and is prepared to resume flights.
On September 27, Nigeria and the UAE agreed on reciprocal rights ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines’ flight operations to Nigeria.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Keyamo said the discussions reaffirm the commitment of Nigeria to fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership with the UAE.
“We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry,” Keyamo said.
As Emirates returns to Nigeria, Keyamo said the country looks forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.
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