Emirates reduces flights to Lagos due to blocked funds

Emirates is reducing the number of weekly flights to Lagos, Nigeria from 11 to seven. The airline took the decision over blocked funds which have been increasing to almost $10 million a month.

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said in a letter: “We have no choice but to take this action, to mitigate the continued losses Emirates is experiencing as a result of funds being blocked in Nigeria.”

An Emirates spokesperson said: “Emirates continues to encounter issues in repatriating funds out of Nigeria, which has begun to impact the commercial viability of our operations. We have been making every effort to find a solution to this issue through constructive and substantive dialogue with limited success, and welcome any support from the Nigerian government so we can move towards a positive outcome to avoid a reduction in our operations.”