Emirates reduces services to Lagos due to blocked funds

Emirates is reducing the number of weekly flights to Lagos, Nigeria from 11 to seven.

Image: Emirates Airlines

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.”