Emirates Airlines resumed its operations in Nigeria on Tuesday, marking the first time the UAE flag carrier has landed in Lagos in two years.
Flight EK 783 touched down at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) at exactly 3:32 pm, following a prolonged suspension due to unresolved issues, including the airline’s trapped funds in the country.
The Boeing 777-300ER, which has a seating capacity of 392 passengers, arrived with many empty seats. Though the exact number of passengers onboard was not immediately available, several passengers confirmed that the flight was far from full.
One passenger shared, “The flight was not full at all, but the services were very good, as usual. I think this is understandable being the first flight after many years.”
Passengers were processed through both the new and old terminals at MMIA, with departing travelers using the newer facility and arrivals passing through the old terminal.
Despite the sparse passenger load, the return of Emirates is seen as a significant step in restoring international flight operations between Nigeria and the UAE.
The airline’s suspension of services two years ago was due to a dispute over its trapped funds, which had been inaccessible due to foreign exchange restrictions in Nigeria. Emirates’ return to Lagos is expected to boost travel and commerce between the two nations.
Chioma Kalu
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