Published 2nd Sep, 2022

Emirates airline plans to reinstate Lagos operations on September 11.

In a statement on its website on Thursday, the airline said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had released a portion of the funds it wanted from the federal government.

“Emirates welcomes the Central Bank of Nigeria’s move to release a portion of our blocked funds, and we continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities to ensure the repatriation of our outstanding and future funds may continue without hindrance,” the airline’s statement read in part.

“In light of these developments, Emirates will reinstate flights to/from Lagos from 11 September, which is the earliest date for us to coordinate the smooth and safe resumption of operations. It will also provide travellers with sufficient time to plan and book their journeys.”

Emirates had announced it would halt flights to and from Lagos because the Nigerian government did not repatriate about $85 million of its revenue.

The withdrawal was one of the many issues brewing in Nigeria’s struggling aviation sector.

Meanwhile, Delta Airlines still plans to suspend flights between New York and Lagos. The company cited environmental demands and offered alternative connecting flights.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has canceled and rescheduled several flights this year due to scarcity of aviation fuel.

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