Emirates Airlines has officially resumed its operations in Nigeria, marking its first landing in Lagos in two years. Flight EK 783 arrived at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) at 3:32 PM on Tuesday, following a prolonged suspension due to unresolved issues, including trapped funds in the country.
The Boeing 777-300ER, with a capacity for 392 passengers, landed with numerous empty seats. While the exact passenger count was not disclosed, several travelers confirmed that the flight was far from full. 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.”
Upon arrival, passengers were processed through both the new and old terminals at MMIA, with departing travelers using the newer facility and arrivals passing through the older terminal.
Despite the light passenger load, the return of Emirates is viewed as a significant milestone in restoring international flight operations between Nigeria and the UAE. The airline suspended services two years ago over a dispute regarding its trapped funds, which had been inaccessible due to foreign exchange restrictions in Nigeria. Emirates’ return to Lagos is anticipated to bolster travel and commerce between the two nations.
