Travel agents in Nigeria report that bookings for Emirates flights have slowed down despite the airline’s scheduled resumption of services on October 1, 2024.
The slowdown is attributed to Emirates’ dollarized ticket pricing and stringent visa regulations imposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
While Emirates offers competitive fares, the requirement to pay in dollars, coupled with tough visa requirements such as a minimum bank balance of $10,000 (N16 million), has dampened ticket sales.
Susan Akporaiye, CEO of Topaz Travels, noted that the dollar-denominated tickets and the restriction of flights to Lagos, with no Abuja service, are significant factors.
Although the UAE has recently introduced easier stop-over visas for Nigerians with US, UK, or Canadian visas, the effect on ticket sales remains unclear.
Travelers remain cautious, with some still skeptical about the full resumption of Emirates flights, while other airlines continue to handle demand for Dubai-bound passengers. Travel experts expect a clearer picture of the market by early 2025.