Aviation

Emirates Celebrate 10 Years Of Operations In Nigeria

Published

12 years ago

February 7, 2014

L-R: Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (Faan), Mr George Uresi, Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and Commissioner for Accident Investigation Bureau, Capt. Muhtar Usman, during inspection of the ongoing re-modelling of Port-Harcourt International Terminal in Port Harcourt last Saturday. Photo: NAN

mirates, a global connec
tor of people and places, celebrates 10 years of successful operations in Nigeria, during which time it has carried out more than 26 million customers on the route, becoming the airline of choice for many in the country.

Emirates started operations in Nigeria on January 2, 2014, with four flights per week from Dubai to Lagos linked with Accra in Ghana, using an A330-200 air craft. Lagos become Emirates 73

rd destination in its network and its 10th in Africa.

Today, Emirates flies to over 140 destinations across six continents 25 of which are in Africa. In 2005, just over a year after Emirates’ launch in Nigeria, it increased services from four to six flights a week and following steady growth and demand it became a daily operation in October 2006.

On January 1, 2006, Lagos was delinked from Accra and became a direct service to Dubai. On February 1, 2009, a second daily service was introduced and today each flight is served with a Boeing 777 – 300 ER.

The Boeing 777 – 300 ER is the backbone of the Emirates fleet, efficient to operate and popular amongst customers.

“Emirates is all about connecting people and places, Nigerians love to travel, explore the world and make new experiences, we are proud to have played a major role over the past ten years in connecting Nigerians, whether for business or leisure, to our ever-expanding world wide network through our Dubai hub. We look forward to continuing our growth to Nigeria by providing the best possible travel experience and value for money”, said Manoj Nair, Emirates Regional Manager for West Africa.

According to the Regional Manager, “the arrival of Emirates was a big boost for the local travel industry, as it opened up new links and opportunities for business and leisure travel. Dubai in itself has also become a very popular destination for Nigerians over the years, and today we are a key market for the airline in the African region”, said the station manager Mr George Ikpekhia Lagos office.

Emirates currently employs 83 Nigerian nationals across its business in Nigeria and Dubai who has been with the airline since the start of operations.

Emirate Sky Cargo, the freight division of the airline, also played a key role over the past ten years in facilitating trade between Nigeria and its trading partners in the Emirate network.

In 2013 alone, more than 12000 tonnes of cargo, ranging from household goods to pharmaceuticals and construction equipment was imported into Nigeria using Emirates Sky Cargo services.

Underlining its position as one of the leading airlines in the market, Emirates has won a number of awards in Nigeria for its outstanding service, the most recent being the NTA Transport Award in 2013 and the AKWAABA-Best Middle East Airline in Nigeria Award.

Passengers onboard Emirates flight can experience the airlines award winning service by its multi-national cabin crew, ice entertainment system with 1500 channels of on-demand entertainment.

Aviation

Togo Govt Scraps It’s Visa Requirements For All African Countries

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

The Togolese government has scrapped visa requirements for nationals of all African countries, effective May 18, 2026, meaning Nigerians with valid passports can now enter the country without applying for visa in advance.

African travellers can now stay in Togo visa-free for up to 30 days counting from May 18, 2026.

Visitors must still complete an online pre-arrival registration before entering the country.

The announcement came via the official X handle of Togo’s Ministry of Security, signed by the ministry’s head, Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba.

Under the new policy, eligible African travellers can stay in Togo for up to 30 days without a visa, with the government describing the move as a commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration.

Government based the decision within a wider Pan-African agenda, stating that it reaffirms Togo’s attachment to “Pan-African ideals, continental solidarity, and community and African commitments, relating to mobility and regional integration.”

Togo also positioned the move as part of an agenda of “openness, modernisation, and attractiveness” aimed at making the country “a regional hub for services, business, culture, and human exchanges at the heart of Africa.”

There is, however, one step travellers cannot skip. Before arrival, visitors must register on the Togolese government’s official travel portal at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before reaching the border.

Nigerians can now travel to Togo without applying for a visa in advance.

The registration generates a travel slip that must be presented at entry points across land, air, and sea. The government has been clear that this pre-arrival formality remains mandatory regardless of the visa exemption.

Beyond the registration requirement, standard entry conditions still apply. Security checks, immigration screening, and public health requirements remain in place, and the waiver does not protect travellers who overstay or enter irregularly.

All border agencies have been directed to implement the new policy immediately.

Togo’s decision is part of a broader continental shift. Across Africa, more governments are moving to ease intra-African travel in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vision of freer movement of people and goods.

Togo is now among the more accessible West African destinations for Nigerian travellers, a short trip that previously required advance visa processing and now requires nothing more than a passport and a quick online registration the day before you fly.

Aviation

Egypt Flight Moves To Prevent Explosion —- Diverts London Flight To Rome

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to London was diverted to Rome after a passenger was found with a power bank in checked luggage.

The airline said the diversion was made as a safety precaution due to regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries.

Passengers landed safely in Rome and were provided accommodation and refreshments after the delay.

The aircraft, operating flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton, made an unscheduled landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport last Tuesday evening as a precautionary safety measure.

According to the airline, the decision to divert was taken after a passenger informed cabin crew that the portable charger was inside luggage stored in the aircraft’s hold.

Although no fire or malfunction was reported, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks are considered a significant safety risk on aircraft due to the possibility of overheating or catching fire.

Flight tracking data showed the plane cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea before suddenly changing course and heading towards Rome, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.

Passengers reportedly disembarked without incident, while the flight was rescheduled for the following day.

In a statement, EasyJet apologised for the disruption and said the diversion was carried out in accordance with aviation safety regulations.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority,” the airline said, adding that hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments were provided for affected travellers.

“EasyJet’s policies state that power banks are only permitted in cabin baggage and must not be stored in checked luggage.

The airline also prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights.

The incident comes as airlines around the world continue tightening restrictions on portable chargers and lithium battery devices amid growing concerns over onboard fire hazards linked to overheating batteries.

Aviation

Delta At 20: Delta Airline Expands Travel Access Ahead 2026 World Cup

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

Delta Air Lines has announced a range of travel solutions aimed at easing the journey for Ghanaian football fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States and North America.

The announcement was made during an event in Accra marking the airline’s 20th anniversary in Ghana, as company officials highlighted plans to work closely with local travel agencies to ensure that fans can access tickets and travel packages well in advance for the global tournament.

According to Delta’s Managing Director for International and Specialty Sales, Rob LeBel, the airline is introducing flexible options tailored to different travel needs.

These include individual ticket purchases, discounted group packages for parties of ten or more, and charter services for larger groups.

He explained that the collaboration with travel agencies would also focus on educating customers about the best ways to secure flights during the expected surge in demand.

To expand travel routes, Delta is leveraging its partnership with European carrier KLM, offering passengers alternative connections through Europe when direct routes are fully booked.

The airline believes the upcoming tournament presents a major opportunity to strengthen travel ties between Ghana and North America, particularly as interest among football fans continues to grow.