Emirates Takes to the Skies Again: Dubai-Lagos Flights Resume After 2-Year Hiatus

By Samaila Emmanuel Bzugu

Emirates Airlines has resumed its daily flights from Dubai to Lagos, Nigeria, after a two-year hiatus. The airline’s first flight in two years landed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos on October 1, 2024, coinciding with Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

The resumption of flights is a result of President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September 2023, which helped ease diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Previously, Emirates Airlines had suspended its Dubai-Lagos flights in November 2022 due to difficulties in repatriating funds trapped in Nigeria, amidst diplomatic issues surrounding the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and visa restrictions.

The airline had announced in May 2024 that its daily Lagos-Dubai flights would resume from October 1, 2024

The airline had announced in May 2024 that its daily Lagos-Dubai flights would resume from October 1, 2024. This followed a meeting between President Tinubu and President Al Nahyan, which smoothed out diplomatic relations. Additionally, the Federal Government of Nigeria reached an agreement with the UAE in July 2024, allowing Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the UAE.

Emirates Airlines’ return to Lagos strengthens its presence in Africa, with 19 destinations and 157 weekly flights departing from Dubai. Nigerian travelers can now enjoy convenient flights to Dubai, a popular destination for business, tourism, and migration.