One year after suspension, Emirate Airlines set to return to Nigeria, compete with Air Peace, others

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has hinted that Emirates Airlines will soon resume flights in Nigeria.

He disclosed this on his X handle on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Festus Keyamo disclosed the new information upon meeting with the leadership of the airline.

Exact resumption date is to be communicated soon

The minister said upon meeting with the airline's leadership, details are already in place, and the exact date will be communicated soon.

He wrote: On the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow in Dubai last week, I met with the top echelon of Emirates Airlines and we continued very warm and fruitful discussions towards the resumption of flights from Dubai to Nigeria, an effort which was championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

We are presently working on the small details and the airline will soon announce the exact date of their resumption of the flights.

In November last year, Emirates suspended operations in Nigeria over the country's indebtedness to foreign airlines, which was over $600 million at the time.

Legit.ng reported that the airline would not resume operations in Nigeria unless the country returned its trapped funds.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently weighed into the diplomatic issues with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The president directed that issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline and issuing visas to Nigerians should be "immediately" resolved, emphasizing that he stands prepared to "personally" intervene.