The inability of one of the world’s leading airlines, Emirates Airline to repatriate about $85 million in revenue trapped in Nigeria has forced the airline to reduce its flight operations to Nigeria.
The planned reduction in operations was conveyed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika in a letter, dated July 22, and signed by Emirates Airline’s Divisional Senior Vice-President (DSVP), International Affairs, Sheik Majid Al Mualla.
He disclosed that the planned reductions in its operations in Nigeria would take effect from August 15.
It added that flights would be reduced from 11 per week to seven at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
It would be recalled that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had accused Nigeria of holding back about $450 million in revenue earned by foreign airlines operating in the country.
Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, IATA, Kamil Al Awadhi, pointed accusing fingers at Nigeria and other African countries during the recent 78th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit that took place in Doha, Qatar.
Peeved by the development, Emirates Airlines has consequently moved to reduce its operations in the country.
“We have had no choice but to take this action, to mitigate the continued losses Emirates is experiencing as a result of funds being blocked in Nigeria,” the letter said.
“As of July 2022, Emirates has US$ 85 million of funds awaiting repatriation from Nigeria. This figure has been rising by more than $US 10 million every month, as the ongoing operational costs of our 11 weekly flights to Lagos and 5 to Abuja continue to accumulate.
“We simply cannot continue to operate at the current level in the face of mounting losses, especially in the challenging post-COVID-19 climate.
“Emirates did try to stem the losses by proposing to pay for fuel in Nigeria in Nairas, which would have at least reduced one element of our ongoing costs, however, this request was denied by the supplier.
“This means that not only are Emirates’ revenues accumulating, we also have to send hard currency into Nigeria to sustain our operation. Meanwhile, our revenues are out of reach, and not even earning credit interest.
“Your Excellency, this is not a decision we have taken lightly. Indeed, we have made every effort to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to find a solution to this issue. Our Senior Vice-President met with the Deputy Governor of the CBN in May and followed up on the meeting by letter to the Governor himself the following month, however, no positive response was received.
“Meetings were also held with Emirates’ bank in Nigeria and in collaboration with IATA to discuss improving FX allocation, but with limited success. Despite our considerable efforts, the situation continues to deteriorate. We are now in the unfortunate position of having to cut flights, to mitigate against further losses going forward.”
“We are confident that your valuable involvement would make a real difference in improving this very difficult situation. Should there be any positive development in the coming days, we will, of course, re-evaluate this decision.”
