IATA knocks FG as Emirates quits Lagos, Abuja routes over unsettled $90m

United Arab Emirates’ national carrier, Emirates Airlines, yesterday, announced the suspension of all passenger flight services on Lagos and Abuja routes, effective September 1, 2022, over $90 million unrepatriated funds in Nigeria.

The carrier said the decision was taken to cut losses on the routes.The carrier had in July notified the Aviation Ministry of its plan to slash daily frequencies to Lagos over stuck accumulated funds.

It informed that its 11 weekly flights into Lagos shall be reduced to seven, effective August 15, 2022, should forex liquidity crisis persist.

Yesterday, its head of international affairs, Sheikh Majid AlMualla, said the airline had tried every avenue to address challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria, and “we have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.