Emirates has announced the suspension of flights operations to Nigeria indefinitely.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier made this announcement in reaction to a restriction by the Nigerian government limiting its flights to the country to just a once a week.
Okay.ng recalls that the government had on Thursday limited the carrier’s daily flights to Abuja to a single run a week and denied approval for the airline’s winter schedule.
According to the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, the government took that step after authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) denied Nigeria’s only carrier to Dubai, Airpeace, the three frequencies it requested.
However, Emirates in a statement via its website on Friday night said flights to Nigeria are hereby suspended ”until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.”
The statement read: “With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.
“The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja.
“Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.
“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.
“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.
“In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking
“Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”
