In what seems like a retaliatory move by the Dubai-based airline, Emirates, its management stated on Friday that it will stop flights to and from Lagos and Abuja by Saturday until certain condition is met by the Nigerian government.
This is coming after the director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, had limited Emirate operations to Nigeria by one flight per week for not granting the flight request of one of its home grown airlines.
“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,” Emirates stated on its website.
To lift its suspension, the airline stated that the Nigerian government will have to remove the restrictions it imposed on its operations.
“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.
“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused,” it stated.