The Middle East airline touched down at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Tuesday, two years after the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates, halted operations in Nigeria.
At 3:32 p.m., flight number EK 783 landed at the MMIA’s old terminal, confirming the carrier’s return to service.
But prior to takeoff, Moha Madugu, a Senior First Officer at Emirates, posted on X, the previous Twitter, to express his happiness: “Today is a very important day for me as I get to operate our first-ever return trip to Lagos, Nigeria.
I shall fly the Nigerian flag and the Emirates flag high today. I’m grateful, Emirates. a little more than eight hours of flight time today.#EkoOniBaje.
Emirates halted flying operations to Nigeria in November 2022 due to its incapacity to return its $85 million revenue-trapped money.
The airline had already suspended flights to Nigeria in August 2022.
This was the second suspension. Speaking about the development, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, a travel analyst, told Vanguard that: “Eighty-five to ninety percent of Emirates’ passengers who go to destinations outside of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates were impacted by the airline’s withdrawal from its routes, which consisted of 21 weekly flights.
It had an impact on or added to the high cost of tickets for international travel.
Emirates removed a significant number of seats, reducing competition.
The few remaining airlines took advantage of Emirates’ decision to halt flights. One of them was Qatar Airways, along with other Egyptian and Moroccan airlines.
Everyone took advantage of the chance to increase their fares. “Emirates pulled out, affecting the industry.
There was a financial loss in the country’s aviation ecosystem. Everyone felt the impact of Emirates’ absence, from the agencies to the taxis, airport taxis, service providers, and even the catering.”
In Essence
The return of Emirates to Lagos after a two-year suspension is a significant development for Nigeria’s aviation sector and the broader economy. The airline’s initial withdrawal in 2022, due to the inability to repatriate trapped funds, had substantial ripple effects, not just for travelers but across various sectors linked to aviation.
Now, its resumption of operations marks a positive shift, signaling an improvement in Nigeria’s foreign exchange management and overall business climate.
Emirates is a major player in global aviation, and its absence created a gap in the Nigerian market that led to higher airfares and reduced competition, as noted by travel analyst Olumide Ohunayo.
Airlines like Qatar Airways and others capitalized on this void, but with fewer options available, Nigerians faced increased travel costs.
The return of Emirates is likely to restore some balance to the market, potentially lowering ticket prices due to the renewed competition and expanding travel options for Nigerians.
