LAGOS – Dubai-based airline Emirates announced on Friday that it will suspend all flights to and from Nigeria from September until the country pays off its $85 million debt.
This announcement follows an intervention by the International Air Transport Association in June. The country withheld $450 million at the time.
“Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1 September 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market,” it said in a statement.
Emirates having made no progress since then, the international airline is now calling for urgent action from Nigeria, one of the largest markets in Africa.
The decision highlights the difficulties faced by international airlines serving Nigeria as the country has restricted access to foreign exchange for imports and for investors seeking to repatriate profits due to shortages of dollars.
Nigeria earns around 90% of its foreign currency from oil, but is struggling with production due to pipeline theft and years of underinvestment.
Emirates said it would reassess the decision when the debt is settled in the coming days.
The airline added that affected customers would be helped to make alternative travel arrangements.
