Emirates launches West Africa services

Emirates officially observed the launch of its services to West Africa on January 7 when its Airbus A330-200 aircraft arrived from Dubai to an official welcome at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in the Nigerian city of Lagos.

Flight EK781 later flew on to the Ghanaian capital Accra to another official reception. The new route, Emirates’ latest addition to its fast-growing network, had started on January 2.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide, led a delegation of the airline that included Dale W Griffith, Senior Vice-President Airport Services, and Nasser bin Kherbash, Vice President Middle East and Africa. HE Mohammed Abdul-Wahab, Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, also travelled with the Emirates group to Lagos.

At a press briefing at Lagos airport, Mr Al Ghaith said: “Emirates’ new services are expected to boost business and tourism links between West Africa, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Middle East. 

“They will facilitate investment in Nigeria and also strengthen cultural exchanges and understanding between this huge country and our region. This new route will give our customers four flights a week to both Lagos and Accra.”

Lagos and Accra are the 73rd and 74th destination served by Emirates - eight of them on the African continent - in the 52 countries now included in its network.

Emirates’ brand-new Airbus A330-200 aircraft flies four times a week to Lagos and Accra, offering a three-cabin service, with 18 First class seats, 42 in Business class and 183 in Economy.

In addition to passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo also is making available up to 120 tons of cargo capacity per week between Dubai and the West African destinations.

Emirates’ operations in West Africa are supervised by Fouad Caunhye, Regional Manager West Africa. Guy Philips, one of the airline’s most experienced managers, is in charge of its Nigerian operations.

Flight EK781 leaves Dubai every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 03:45, arriving in Lagos at 08:45. It takes off again at 09:55 and lands in Accra at 10:05.

The return flight, EK782, takes off from Accra at 11:35hrs, arriving in Lagos at 13:45. It departs at 15:00, touching down in Dubai at 01:00 early the next morning. All times are local.