Emirates to shut down flight operations into Nigeria from Sept. 1, over FG’s failure to repatriate withheld forex
Emirates Airlines says it will shut down flight operations into Nigeria from September 1, this year.
According to the Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based carrier, the continued failure by the Nigerian government to repatriate its withheld funds is the cause of the planned shutdown of flight operations.
Emirates Airlines operates a controversial 21-frequency/7 days-weekly flight operations into Nigeria from both Lagos and Abuja airports.
This is not the first time the carrier will halt flight operations into the country since 2020 following other incidents relating to Covid-19 handling protocols, and disparities in criteria and procedures for visa on arrivals from Nigeria, frequencies and schedules.
However, the latest is said to be economic and informed by efforts made by the airline to recover its trapped funds which the Federal Government has stalled on repatriating to the Gulf nation.
A statement confirming its decision to shut down flight operations into Nigeria issued, Thursday, also explained that the latest decision was taken by the carrier to ‘limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.’
It is believed that the federal Government may be withholding over $80 million of the Gulf carrier. However, it is not only the Emirates that is at the receiving end of the forex crunch in Nigeria, but as many as 20 foreign airlines operating into the country.
The airline had on Monday cut its 11 weekly frequencies into Lagos Airport to just seven.
The planned suspension will affect all flights by the airline into the country.
”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 September 1 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,” read the statement by the airline.
