Emirates airlines will stop all flights to and from Nigeria due to their inability of accessing trapped funds from the country. This will come into effect from September 1st 2022.
Further Details
Despite Emirate’s efforts to access the funds, which have been reported to have reached a staggering $85 million, they have been unsuccessful. The flag carrier airline has released a statement stating that they have had no choice but to no longer provide their services to the West African country.
“Emirates has tried every avenue to address our ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria and have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution. Regrettable there has been no progress.”
The airline’s decision to terminate flights to Nigeria was not a quick conclusion. At the beginning of this month, Emirates announced that the number of weekly flights that enter the country would be reduced from a total of 11 to 7.
The rapid change in decision from the airline truly highlights the severity of the situation and how much it has impacted them financially. In a letter addressed to Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirikia, it has been emphasised that the trapped funds were reaching “over $10 million every month”.
Hadi Sirikia has addressed the issue stating he believes that Nigeria will get past this as unfortunately, it has not been the first time the nation has had to deal with such an issue. He stressed that during the country’s recession period there was a mighty problem regarding blocked funds, however, as a country they ensured that these were paid out.
What does this mean for the airline’s customers?
Emirates has declared that if, “there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria”, they would rethink their decision. The termination of Emirate flights to and from Nigeria will cause stress amongst customers, yet the airline has reassured those affected that they will help them make alternative travel arrangements.
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