Emirates has announced the resumption of its daily service between Lagos and Dubai starting October 1, 2024. This development comes as a significant relief for travelers and businesses alike, offering enhanced connectivity from Nigeria’s largest city to Dubai and beyond. The service, which had been suspended for over two years due to financial disputes, marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two regions.
The reinstated route will be serviced by a Boeing 777-300ER. Flight EK783 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1520hrs. The return flight, EK784, will leave Lagos at 1730hrs, landing in Dubai at 0510hrs the following day. Tickets are already available for booking on the Emirates website or through travel agents.
The suspension, which lasted for more than 2-years, was initially due to the blocking of over $85 million in Emirates funds in Nigeria. This financial impasse was further complicated by a visa ban imposed by the UAE on Nigerian citizens, effectively halting movement between the two countries.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, expressed his enthusiasm about the resumption of services. “We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria. The Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular with customers in Nigeria, and we hope to reconnect leisure and business travelers to Dubai and onwards to our network of over 140 destinations. We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard,” he said.
The resumption of flights to Nigeria expands Emirates’ footprint in Africa, bringing the number of gateways on the continent to 19, with a total of 157 weekly flights from Dubai. The airline’s extensive network is further complemented by codeshare and interline partnerships with carriers such as South African Airways, Airlink, Royal Air Maroc, and Tunis Air, enhancing connectivity to an additional 130 regional points in Africa.
Nigeria, as a major economic hub in Africa, has maintained robust bilateral trade relations with the UAE. Lagos, being the commercial center of Nigeria, plays a pivotal role in this dynamic. With the daily passenger flights resuming, Emirates’ cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo, is set to strengthen these trade ties by providing over 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity to and from Lagos each week.
Emirates SkyCargo will facilitate the export of key Nigerian commodities such as Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier materials through its advanced hub in Dubai to markets like the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain. Conversely, it will import essential goods, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and general cargo from key markets such as the UAE, India, and Hong Kong, ensuring seamless trade flows with its specialized product portfolio.
The Boeing 777-300ER deployed for the Lagos route will feature 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats, and 304 Economy Class seats. Passengers can expect an unparalleled travel experience, with regionally inspired multi-course meals crafted by award-winning chefs and a selection of premium beverages. The airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, offers over 6,500 channels of global entertainment, including 23 Nigerian movies, ensuring a diverse array of content for all passengers.
This move by Emirates is set to reinvigorate travel and trade between Nigeria and the UAE, providing a reliable and efficient option for passengers and businesses. As the airline prepares to welcome back travelers, the focus will be on maintaining the high standards of service and connectivity that have made it a preferred choice among passengers globally.
With the renewed operations, Emirates not only re-establishes a vital air bridge but also reinforces its commitment to the Nigerian market, promising a future of strengthened economic and cultural ties. The airline’s extensive network and superior service offerings are expected to play a crucial role in the resurgence of international travel and commerce for Nigeria.
