The Delta Air Lines, on Tuesday said the company will on October 4, suspends its direct flight operations to Nigeria.
With this suspension, it becomes one of the latest league of international flights that have quitted the Nigerian aviation market.
It would be recalled that United Arab Emirates’ national carrier, Emirates Airlines, as well as UK carrier, British Airways, suspended their operation in Nigeria due to their trapped funds in the country.
The Network gathered that about $464 million foreign airline funds are trapped in Nigeria due to scarcity of forex.
The situation has tightened their access to Forex. According to the foreign airlines the development has made it impossible for them, to recoup their money out of Nigeria.
It was learned that because of their threats to suspend operation, the Central Bank, quickly released $265 million to enable the airlines to repatriate some of their revenue to their parent countries.
Meanwhile, despite the release of the funds, Delta Air Lines said it would stop its flights between New York JFK Arport and Lagos effective October 4, 2022, citing ‘current demand environment’ as reason for the company’s decision.
“Delta is suspending its nonstop service between New York-JFK and Lagos to fit the current demand environment”, the company said, although it disclosed that “the airline continues to operate service between Lagos and Atlanta and offers onward connections to New York and other cities across the United States.” The Firm said.
According to the Delta AirLines, affected customers would be moved to other flights jointly operated with other companies.
“Customers impacted by our suspended New York-JFK to Lagos service will be re-accommodated on Delta operated flights or services operated by our joint venture partners. Delta remains committed.” The statement reads.
