Emirates Airlines marked a significant milestone on October 1, 2024, when its flight EK 783 landed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, signaling the airline’s return to Nigeria after a two-year suspension. The flight arrived at 3:32 p.m., utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
This resumption comes after a prolonged hiatus caused by unresolved issues, including the inability of Emirates to repatriate its trapped funds from the Nigerian government.
The aircraft, which has a seating capacity of 392, was reportedly not at full capacity. Passengers onboard commented that despite the sparse crowd, Emirates maintained its high service standards.
One of the key operational changes observed was the use of both the old and new terminals at the Lagos airport—departing passengers were processed in the new terminal while arrivals were handled at the old terminal.
The return of Emirates to Nigeria is expected to restore essential connectivity between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, benefiting travelers and businesses alike.
This development is seen as a positive step towards overcoming previous diplomatic and operational challenges, although both governments are still working on fully resolving the issues that led to the suspension in the first place.
