DUBAI, UAE, 9 October 2024: Emirates has resumed passenger services to Lagos, Nigeria, with a daily flight scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the US and Asia.
The official delegation was led by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia; David Broz, Senior Vice President of Aeropolitical and Airline Industry Affairs; and Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support. The official delegation from Nigeria onboard the flight included His Excellency, Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria; His Excellency, Zayyan Ibrahim, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Adewale Babtunde Awolesi, Head of Chancery, Consulate General of Nigeria.
Soon after landing, the airline hosted an exclusive event for VIPs, government officials, key representatives from Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority, Customs, Police and the Airforce, trade and industry partners and corporate clients.
Commenting on the return of services, Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “This has been a long-awaited moment, and we are excited to resume operations to Lagos, helping reconnect travellers seamlessly to and through Dubai, coupled with a consistent, world-class experience onboard.
“We would like to thank the Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, as well as the UAE authorities, including His Excellency Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and His Excellency Dr Abdulla Almandoos, Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Lagos, for their support. We are committed to making this route a success and look forward to contributing to the Nigerian aviation industry’s growth and offering travellers and businesses more choice and connectivity to key destinations across our network.”
EK783 departs Dubai at 0945, arriving in Lagos at 1520; the return flight EK784 takes off from Lagos at 1730 and lands in Dubai at 0510 the following day. The daily service has been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the US, Asia and the wider Middle East and GCC, streamlining business and leisure travel to and from Nigeria.
Strengthening business between UAE and Nigeria
With the resumption of operations to Lagos, Emirates provides connectivity to one of Africa’s major economic hubs, facilitating global trade and strengthening business ties, in line with the UAE and Nigeria’s strong bilateral trade relations.
Emirates SkyCargo will support Nigerian businesses by offering more than 300 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity in and out of Lagos every week into key markets such as UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain, among others. Anticipated commodities such as Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier material will be transported via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai quickly, efficiently, and reliably via the airline’s multi-vertical specialised product portfolio. Imports into Nigeria are anticipated from key markets such as UAE, India and Hong Kong, with key commodities including a mix of general cargo, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Premium products and amenities across every class
The Dubai-Lagos service is operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, offering eight first-class suites, 42 business-class seats, and 304 economy-class seats, with added comforts and perks in each cabin class. Emirates is one of only two airlines offering a first class in and out of Lagos and an unrivalled experience with luxurious touches, a premium gastronomic selection of dishes and fine beverages, and one of the biggest screens in the sky, all amid comfort and privacy.
Offering the best experience across every class, passengers will dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Customers can tune in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment, including 23 Nigerian movies, series and other content on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.
To support travel to Dubai or onwards, Emirates will also facilitate 48-hour and 96-hour Dubai visa applications for travellers from Nigeria, an offer that is exclusive to the airline.
Celebrating the resumption of services, Emirates award-winning loyalty programme, Skywards, reinstated previous tier status levels for Skywards members to ensure the continuation of earned benefits and recognition.
Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com or via travel agents.
