Delta Airlines To Stop New-York-Lagos Flights Over Trapped Dollars

Delta Air Lines. Photo Credit: Business Post Nigeria

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will stop operating flights from New York JFK airport to Lagos, stating that the market environment doesn’t encourage the continuation of the flights.

In a statement released by the United States carrier, the company said from October 4, 2022, and will only offer Lagos and Atlanta flights, which will then connect US-bound passengers to New York.

“Delta is suspending its nonstop service between New York-JFK and Lagos to fit the current demand environment. 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 American company said it will make provision for affected customers, transferring them to joint venture partners, “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 to the Nigeria market.”

Delta Air is one of the many foreign airlines contemplating on reducing or exiting their operation from the Nigerian market amid disagreement with the government authority over repatriation of their revenue.

Recall that British Airways and Emirates Airlines have concluded on suspending flight operation in Nigeria over the $464 million foreign airline funds trapped in the country. Although the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed $265 million to the airlines to repatriate part of their revenue.

The revenue was trapped due to scarcity of foreign exchange in Nigeria.

Fakoyejo Olalekan