For the first time in two years, an Emirates flight landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Tuesday. The UAE flag carrier resumed its operations after halting flights in 2021 due to ongoing issues, including the airline’s trapped funds in Nigeria.
Flight EK 783, a Boeing 777-300ER, arrived at the old terminal of MMIA at 3:32 PM, but the flight had several empty seats, indicating a slow return to operations. Although the exact number of passengers wasn’t confirmed, travelers reported that the flight wasn’t full.
One passenger noted, “The flight wasn’t full at all, but the service was excellent, which is understandable given it’s the first flight in years.”
Airport officials stated that departing passengers were processed through the newly opened terminal, while arrivals were directed to the Old Terminal.
The Boeing 777-300ER can seat 392 passengers, but the low occupancy suggests that the airline may take some time to regain its foothold in the Nigerian market following the long pause. Nevertheless, this resumption is a significant step toward fully restoring international operations at MMIA.