Emirates Airlines has resumed its daily Dubai-Lagos flights after a two-year break.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier resumed operations to Nigeria on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
The airline’s flight arrived at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos in the afternoon, coinciding with Nigeria’s celebration of 64 years of independence from British colonial rule.
The over eight-hour flight landed at 3:32 pm, as confirmed by air traffic controllers.
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Emirates Airlines had suspended its Dubai-Lagos route in November 2022 due to difficulties repatriating trapped funds from Nigeria, amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
For years, Nigeria and the UAE have experienced flight restrictions due to unresolved issues around the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Visa restrictions were also imposed, as diplomatic strains continued, affecting travel to the UAE, a popular destination for Nigerian migrants and tourists.
However, in September 2023, President Bola Tinubu met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to improve diplomatic ties. Following this, Emirates Airlines announced in May 2024 that its daily Lagos-Dubai flights would resume on October 1.
By July, Nigeria and the UAE had reached an agreement allowing Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the UAE.
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