The Federal Government has revealed that UAE carrier, Emirates, is poised to resume its flights to Nigeria in June this year, signaling a positive development after a nearly two-year hiatus. This announcement comes following the suspension of Emirates flights to Nigeria in September 2022 due to challenges with repatriating funds among other issues.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, disclosed this information during an appearance on the Arise Morning Show. He shared that the government has received a letter from Emirates confirming the resolution of all pertinent issues, paving the way for the airline’s return to Nigerian skies. Keyamo expressed gratitude for the efforts made by President Muhammadu Buhari in facilitating the resolution of the issues, highlighting his diplomatic engagement as instrumental in the process.
Acknowledging the significance of the announcement, Keyamo underscored the meticulous preparations required for flight resumption, including the acquisition of aircraft for the route. While the exact date of the resumption is yet to be announced by Emirates, Keyamo assured Nigerians that the airline will communicate the schedule in due course.
Despite the optimism surrounding the imminent resumption of Emirates flights, lingering concerns persist regarding visa and work permit bans between Nigeria and the UAE. Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed that bilateral discussions are ongoing to address these issues. He assured that once discussions are concluded, an official joint statement will be issued.
