By OLA MUDOPE, Lagos –
Emirates Airline has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Nigeria on Sept. 1, following its inability to repatriate about 85 million dollars in revenue from the country.
The decision according to the airline is to limit further losses and impact on its operational costs that has continue to accumulate in the market.
Emirates Airline announced this in a statement issued on Thursday by its media consultant in Nigeria, JSP Communications in Lagos.
The statement said: “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 from Sept. 1, 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,” it said.
Emirates added: “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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