Emirates return to Abuja Nov 1 not feasible — Sirika

Emirates will not be returning to Abuja November 1, 2017 as earlier announced, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has said.

Travel agents and passengers were excited on the earlier announcement in September by the minister the Middle East carrier will return to Abuja November 1.

The minister had tweeted @hadisirika that “concluded with Emirates return to Abuja November 1st. Looking at second leg to Lagos via Kano later on. Please bear with us.”

But the minister when asked on Sunday by @iamramat that “Can you please give us an update on the situation with Emirates Abuja flights?” He replied @hadisirika by saying “We are still working hard but must apologize that 1st of November is not likely, will report progress later. Please bear with us, apologies.”

Our correspondent also gathered from travel agents that Emirates had not opened its Abuja route booking portal indicating that, they are not commencing the Abuja operations just yet.

Recall Emirates had stopped flight operations to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at the end of October 2016 following its inability to access Forex and remit its sales.

The airline had also cited the bad runway at the airport and scarcity of jet A1 (aviation fuel) for its decision to suspend operations in and out of the second busiest route in Nigeria, but all of these have been addressed.