There are indications that the failure of Emirates Airlines to repatriate its trapped ticket sales fund in Nigeria back to its home country in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have led to the carrier’s decision to stop all flights in and out of the country.
Following complaints of trapped funds in Nigeria, United
Arab Emirates, UAE, flag carrier, Emirates Airlines, says effective September
1, it would stop flights operations in and out of Nigeria.
We gathered that at last count the airline had $85 million
trapped within Nigeria despite measures to reach the Federal Government in a
bid to repatriate the funds.
At least, $600 million of over 20 foreign airlines has been
blocked in Nigeria since the beginning of the year.
It would be recalled that the airline had reduced it flight
operations to Nigeria last month as a means of managing it business in the
country.
In a letter transmitted to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation,
Hadi Sirika, the airline cut its 11 weekly frequencies into Lagos Airport to
just seven after indicating it would do so.
However, Emirates in a statement on Thursday morning noted
that it would suspend flights from Nigeria effective September 1, 2022.
The airline’s statement reads: ”Emirates has tried every
avenue to address our ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria,
and we have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant
authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.
”Regrettably, there has been no progress. Therefore,
Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from
Nigeria, effective September 1 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our
operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.
”We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our
customers, however the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We
will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements
wherever possible.
”Should there be any positive developments in the coming
days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, we will of course
re-evaluate our decision. We remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations
provide much needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to
trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai and to our broader network of over 130
destinations.”
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