Emirates resumes Lagos flights after Middle East airspace disruptions, offering stranded Nigerians in the UAE a chance to return home

Middle East carrier Emirates Airline has announced that it will resume its Dubai–Lagos–Dubai flight operations on Friday, March 6, 2026, after suspending services last week due to widespread airspace disruptions triggered by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

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The airline confirmed the development in a message to its trade partners in Nigeria, noting that flight EK783 and EK784 would operate between Dubai and Lagos as scheduled.

The decision follows days of uncertainty across the aviation industry after several Middle Eastern carriers halted operations when multiple countries closed their airspace in response to coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.

Sources familiar with the airline’s operations said the move to resume services was partly aimed at facilitating the return of stranded Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates who had been unable to travel home following the disruption.

United States President Donald Trump described the strikes as a major combat operation, a development that forced airlines worldwide to reroute flights that typically pass through the Middle East corridor.

The situation created significant disruption to long-haul routes connecting Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, as airlines scrambled to adjust schedules while prioritising passenger safety.

Airlines have since avoided certain airspace corridors after missiles were launched from Israel towards Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes by Iranian forces, intensifying safety concerns for commercial aviation.

The disruptions resulted in the cancellation or diversion of several international flights linking India, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

After initially suspending services, Emirates said it was closely monitoring developments and maintaining active communication with relevant aviation authorities before determining when conditions would allow a safe resumption of flights.

Passengers had earlier been advised to monitor the airline’s travel updates and flight status pages before heading to the airport.

Confirming the latest development, the airline stated that the resumption offers passengers an opportunity to continue their travel plans after days of disruption.

“The flight resumption presents a unique opportunity for customers to travel,” the airline said, while urging passengers to secure available seats promptly as demand is expected to surge.

Emirates added that it will continue to monitor the evolving security situation in the region and adjust its operational schedule accordingly, promising that the latest flight updates will be published on its website.

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The return of services marks a significant relief for travellers affected by the crisis and signals cautious optimism within the aviation sector as airlines navigate one of the most volatile airspace environments in recent years.