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Tag: Adil Al Ghaith

  • Emirates and the Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy sign MoU to Stimulate Inbound Tourism

    Emirates and the Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy sign MoU to Stimulate Inbound Tourism

    Emirates and Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market, to boost international visitors to Nigeria. The partnership underscores the airline’s commitment to the market through attracting visitors from across its global network of more than 140 passenger destinations, as Nigeria’s tourism roadmap aims to make the country a major holiday destination in Africa.

    Under the MoU, Emirates will help to promote inbound tourism to Nigeria from key markets on its network, encouraging travellers to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty, from sunlit coastlines to vibrant wetlands. Both partners will also develop programmes for trade partners, hoteliers and tour operators, to showcase the Heartbeat of Africa as well as exploring incentives, familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives.

    The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre, and Mr. Abiola Abdulkareem, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister on Sub-National Development and tourism, in the presence of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa; Mr. Faiz Imam, Chief Adviser to the Honourable Minister; H.E. Zayyanu Ibrahim, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai, UAE; Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management; alongside other senior officials.

    Commenting on the signing, Adnan Kazim said, “Since resuming operations to Lagos in October 2024, we have focused on deepening our strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors. This partnership with the Nigerian Tourism Ministry solidifies our commitment to driving international travellers to experience the country’s fascinating history, its urban cities, the untapped, stunning natural world and, of course, the warm hospitality that characterizes Nigerian culture.”

    In her remarks, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & the Creative Economy, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “This partnership with Emirates marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s tourism sector. It serves as a critical springboard for driving inbound tourism as we work towards delivering on our Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative, endorsed by Mr. President to position Nigeria as a global leader in culture, heritage, and creativity. Strengthening strategic alliances with international stakeholders like Emirates not only opens new gateways for visitors but also empowers local communities, stimulates economic growth, and showcases Nigeria’s extraordinary cultural tapestry to the world.”

    Nigeria’s tourism sector is poised for significant growth, fuelled by major investments in infrastructure, tourist facilities, and enhanced connectivity to and from the country. The partnership between Emirates and the Ministry — to be driven by its agency for tourism promotion, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) — supports this exciting new chapter. It is further bolstered by the recently signed interline agreement between Emirates and Air Peace, which expands Emirates’ reach to 13 additional cities across Nigeria. Travellers flying from Dubai to Lagos can now seamlessly connect to destinations including Nigeria’s capital and cultural heart, Abuja; the historic city of Benin; the natural wonders around Calabar; and many other vibrant cities — all on a single, frictionless ticket.

    Emirates is one of only two airlines operating First Class into Lagos, offering the best experience in the sky defined by the airline’s renowned luxurious touches, comfort and privacy. Inbound tourists will get a taste of Nigerian culture before they even land, dining on regionally inspired multi-course menus and tuning into Nigerian movies on Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.

  • Emirates makes its much-awaited official touchdown to Lagos, Nigeria

    Emirates makes its much-awaited official touchdown to Lagos, Nigeria

    Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has resumed passenger services to Lagos, Nigeria, with a daily service.

    The official delegation onboard was led by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia; David Broz, Senior Vice President of Aeropoliticaland Airline Industry Affairs and Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support.

    The official delegation from Nigeria onboard the flight included His Excellency, Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria; His Excellency, Zayyan Ibrahim, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Adewale Babatunde Awolesi, Head of Chancery, Consulate General of Nigeria.

    Soon after landing, the airline hosted an exclusive event for VIPs, government officials, key representatives from Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Customs, Police and the Airforce, as well as trade and industry partners and corporate clients.

    Commenting on the return of services, Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said, “This has been a long-awaited moment, and we are excited to resume operations to Lagos, helping reconnect travellers seamlessly to and through Dubai, coupled with a consistent, world-class experience onboard.

    We would like to thank the Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, as well as the UAE authorities including His Excellency Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Abuja, Nigeria and His Excellency Dr Abdulla Almandoos, Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Lagos, for their support.

    “We are committed to making this route a success and look forward to contributing to the Nigerian aviation industry’s growth and offering travellers and businesses more choice and connectivity to key destinations across our network.”

    His Excellency, Festus Keyamo, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria said: “We are pleased to welcome Emirates back to Nigeria. Emirates has become a global brand and Nigeria, being the most populous black nation in the world, is the sure destination for all major airlines in the world.

    “So, this is a mutually beneficial relationship and we look forward to many years of seamless operations for the designated airlines of both countries to ply the route.”

    EK783 departs Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1520hrs; the return flight EK784 takes off from Lagos at 1730hrs and lands in Dubai at 0510hrs the following day. The daily service has been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the US, the Far East and the wider Middle East and GCC, streamlining business and leisure travel to and from Nigeria.

    Strengthening business links between UAE and Nigeria
    With the resumption of operations to Lagos, Emirates provides frictionless connectivity to one of Africa’s major economic hubs, facilitating global trade and strengthening business ties, in line with the UAE and Nigeria’s strong bilateral trade relations.

    Emirates SkyCargo will support Nigerian businesses by offering more than 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Lagos every week, into key markets such as UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain, among others.

    Anticipated commodities such as Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier material will be transported via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai, quickly, efficiently, and reliably via the airline’s multi-vertical specialized product portfolio. Imports into Nigeria are anticipated from key markets such as UAE, India and Hong Kong, with key commodities including a mix of general cargo, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

    The Dubai-Lagos service is operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, offering eight First class suites, 42 Business class seats and 304 economy class seats, with added comforts and perks in each cabin class. Emirates is one of only two airlines offering First Class in and out of Lagos, and offers an unrivalled experience with luxurious touches, a premium gastronomic selection of dishes and fine beverages, and one of the biggest screens in the sky, all in the midst of comfort and privacy.

    Offering the best experience across every class, passengers will dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus, complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Customers can tune in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment, including 23 Nigerian movies, series and other content on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

    To support travel to Dubai or onwards, Emirates will also facilitate 48 hour and 96 hour Dubai visa applications for travellers from Nigeria, an offer which is exclusive to the airline.

    Celebrating the resumption of services, Emirates award-winning loyalty programme, Skywards, reinstated previous tier status levels for Skywards members to ensure continuation of earned benefits and recognition.