Emirates, a Dubai-based airline company, has halted all travel to and from Nigeria as of Thursday for ten days. The last flight leaves Lagos at 00.00 before the 10-day suspension begins.
Passengers are advised to change their plans or make alternate travel arrangements, according to the airline.
Prior to the suspension, the airline had cut the number of weekly flights to Nigeria from 11 to 7. It had previously stated that it would suspend operations starting on September 1 in order to prevent future losses and impact on operating expenses.
It is reported that the airline is owed $85 million ($73 million) in ticket revenue by the Nigerian government.
To avoid a crisis in the aviation industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria granted $265 million to local airlines last week.
It has been challenging for the Nigerian bank to pay off the loan because of the currency shortage. British Airways has also cut back on its flights due to financial difficulties. Due to insufficient demand, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines also announced the closure of operations between New York and Lagos as of October 4.
