DUBAI- Emirates Airlines (EK) flight landed in Lagos (LOS) on Tuesday, resuming operations in Nigeria after a two-year hiatus.
Flight EK 783 arrived at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) at 3:32 pm, ending a suspension caused by unresolved issues, including trapped airline funds in the country.
Emirates Resumes Nigeria Flights
The Boeing 777-300ER, capable of carrying 392 passengers, arrived with numerous vacant seats. While exact passenger numbers were unavailable, travelers confirmed the flight was far from capacity.
One passenger noted, “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.”
MMIA utilized both its new and old terminals to process passengers. Departing travelers used the newer facility, while arrivals passed through the old terminal.
Emirates’ return to Lagos signals a significant step in restoring international flight operations between Nigeria and the UAE. The airline had suspended services two years ago due to a dispute over trapped funds, which were inaccessible because of foreign exchange restrictions in Nigeria.
Executive Remarks
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, expressed excitement about the route’s revival, highlighting its popularity among Nigerian travelers for both leisure and business.
The resumption expands Emirates’ African presence to 19 gateways, offering 157 weekly flights from Dubai. The airline’s partnerships with South African Airways, Airlink, Royal Air Maroc, and Tunis Air further extend its reach to 130 additional regional points.
This reconnection strengthens the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the UAE, with Lagos serving as a key commercial center. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight division, will enhance this relationship by providing over 300 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity in both directions.
Emirates SkyCargo will facilitate Nigerian exports, including Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier material, to markets such as the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain.
Simultaneously, it will import vital goods like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and general cargo from the UAE, India, and Hong Kong, ensuring efficient and reliable trade flow through its specialized product portfolio.
The Boeing 777-300ER serving Lagos offers a three-class configuration: 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats, and 304 Economy Class seats.
Passengers can enjoy regionally inspired multi-course meals, premium beverages, and access to over 6,500 entertainment channels, including 23 Nigerian movies, on Emirates’ award-winning inflight system, ice.
Also Read: Emirates Will Cut its Singapore to Melbourne Flights After 28 Years
Riyadh Flights
Emirates Airlines introduces its refurbished Boeing 777 to Riyadh (RUH), marking the first GCC destination to feature the airline’s new Business Class cabin and Premium Economy seats.
The upgraded aircraft serves the daily EK 819/820 route, departing Dubai at 0710hrs and arriving in Riyadh at 0805hrs, with the return flight leaving Riyadh at 0940hrs and reaching Dubai at 1235hrs.
The four-class Boeing 777 configuration offers 24 Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, featuring 6-way adjustable headrests for enhanced comfort. The Business Class cabin now provides increased privacy with 38 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle access, mini-bars, and multiple charging ports.
First Class travelers experience luxury in 6 gamechanger suites, while the refreshed Economy Class cabin boasts 256 ergonomic seats with adjustable leather headrests. By the end of the year, Emirates plans to deploy 48 aircraft fitted with Premium Economy, serving 27 destinations including Dubai, across its 777, A380, and A350 fleet.
Emirates currently operates 72 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia’s four gateways, with Riyadh receiving 3 daily flights on a mix of B777s and A380s. This service enhancement reflects Emirates’ commitment to improving passenger experience and expanding its premium offerings in key markets.
The introduction of the refurbished aircraft to the Riyadh route signifies Emirates’ strategic focus on the Saudi Arabian market, potentially stimulating both business and leisure travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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