Emirates Airlines has suspended indefinitely all its flight operations in Nigeria after the federal government withdrew its frequencies approval.
According to reports, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) repealed the approval of 21 weekly flights to Nigeria, which comprises 14 flights to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and seven flights to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) did not grant the three frequencies requested by Air Peace, the only Nigerian airline operating to Dubai through Sharjah.
In a statement issued on its website, Emirates said its flights to Nigeria would be on suspension until the issues between UAE and Nigeria are resolved.
The statement read: “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.
“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.
“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused. Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travelers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”
