The United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Emirates flight landed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Tuesday.
This is coming two years after the suspension of operation by the airline over several issues including unresolved trapped funds belonging to the airline.
However the flight EK 783 which touched down at the old terminal of the MMIA at exactly 3:32 pm arrived with several empty seats on its Boeing 777-300ER.
The flight resumed for the first time in two years with 105 passengers on the Boeing 777-300er (Extended range) with a capacity to convey 370 to 392 passengers depending on the configuration.
Several passengers who spoke with our correspondent also confirmed that there were many empty seats on the flight.
While the departing passengers were processed at the new terminal, returning passengers arrived via the old terminal of the MMIA due to the existing capacity constraint at the new terminal.
One of the passengers said, “The flight was not full at all but as usual the services were very good. And I think this is understandable being the first flight after many years.”
The return flight EK784 also departed Lagos by 5:29 with about the same number of passengers.
Daily Trust reports that there has been low booking since the airline resumed sale of tickets with travel agents attributing the development to the stringent visa requirements imposed on Nigerians.
A top travel agent who spoke with our correspondent said, “The visa requirements are very stringent and restrictive. We hope that as they reconnect and settle in, they can tweak some of these requirements.”
Daily Trust reports that one of the requirements is for the applicant to have a certain sum of money in his account to cover travel, accommodation, and other expenses
WhatsApp Community
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
Understanding Economic Planning and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Nigeria’s path to sustainable economic growth has been fraught with challenges such as political headwinds, policy inconsistencies, and structural inefficiencies, but the economic policies put in place under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 2023 marked a significant change in approach, and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes resource optimization, fiscal responsibility,…
FCT Police Commissioner loses son in tragic auto accident in Abuja
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Mataz Arising learnt that the adopted son identified as Adam was raised by the police chief since he was two. Olatunji Disu, the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) son was alone in a BMW when he tragically died in a horrific car accident on Monday. “Adam was not his…
EXCLUSIVE: Critically Ill Nigerian In Ethiopian Prison Allegedly Abandoned, Denied Treatment By Facility Officials
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Some of the inmates who spoke to SaharaReporters appealed to the Nigerian government to come to their rescue. Nigerians arrested for various offences in Ethiopia have once again raised concerns about alleged mistreatment by authorities in the host country. They have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in their plight.…
