Sade Williams/Business a.m.
The world’s largest international carrier, Emirates, flew back into the Nigerian skies, one of its busiest and most lucrative routes, two years after it suspended operations to a huge welcome by travellers and authorities in the West African country.
The airline returned to Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) to resume passenger services to Nigeria and will operate a daily service.
Emirates showed the level of importance it accords the route with the category of officials it sent as delegation on board this return flight. Led by Adil Al Ghaith, senior vice president, commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia, it also had David Broz, senior vice president, aeropolitical and airline industry affairs, and Sami Aqil Abdullah, senior vice president Emirates airport services outstation and business support.
From the Nigerian side, an official delegation onboard the flight included Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, Zayyan Ibrahim, consul general of Nigeria in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Adewale Babtunde Awolesi, head of Chancery, Consulate General of Nigeria.
Soon after the route-resumption flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the airline hosted an exclusive event for VIPs, government officials, key representatives from Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Customs, Police and the Air Force, as well as trade and industry partners and corporate clients.
Commenting on the return of services, Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer, Emirates Airline, 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, Abuja, Nigeria 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,” he assured.
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s aviation and aerospace development minister said: “We are pleased to welcome Emirates back to Nigeria. Emirates has become a global brand and Nigeria, being the most populous black nation in the world, is the sure destination for all major airlines in the world.
“So, this is a mutually beneficial relationship and we look forward to many years of seamless operations for the designated airlines of both countries to ply the route.
With the return of Emirates to the Dubai-Lagos-Dubai route, the service will see EK783 depart Dubai at 0945 hrs, and arrive in Lagos at 1520 hrs; while the return flight EK784 will take off from Lagos at 1730 hrs and land in Dubai at 0510 hrs the following day.
The daily service has been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the US, the Far East and the wider Middle East and GCC, streamlining business and leisure travel to and from Nigeria.
Strengthens UAE-Nigeria business links
With the resumption of operations to Lagos, Emirates says it will provide frictionless 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.
In this connection, Emirates SkyCargo will support Nigerian businesses by offering more than 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Lagos every week, into key markets such as UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain, among others.
It noted that 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.
A statement by the airline disclosed that 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, adding that Emirates is one of only two airlines offering First Class in and out of Lagos, and offers 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 in the midst of 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, the airline stated.
According to the statement, 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 which 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 continuation of earned benefits and recognition.
