Saudi Arabian authorities have caused dismay by canceling the visas of 264 passengers flown by Nigeria’s Air Peace upon their arrival in Jeddah from Kano.
Out of the affected passengers, only 87 were granted clearance by Saudi Arabian authorities following intense intervention by Nigerian embassy officials.
The flight, originating from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, via Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, took off on Sunday night and landed in Saudi Arabia’s major city on Monday without any apparent issues.
However, upon arrival, Saudi authorities declared the cancellation of all passengers’ visas.
Passengers and airline personnel were shocked by the visa cancellations, especially considering that the passengers had undergone Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System ,APPS, checks during check-in, monitored by Saudi authorities before the flight departed Nigeria.
Saudi Arabian authorities have cancelled the visa of 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s Air Peace on arrival in Jeddah from Kano, insisting that the airline should return to Nigeria.
Observers have speculated that this incident may be a strategy to discourage Air Peace from operating to the destination, as the airline has consistently recorded high load factors since starting operations on the route.
Efforts by the Nigerian embassy resulted in Saudi authorities reducing the number of passengers to be returned to 177 from the initial 264.
Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, has been providing direct flight services to Saudi Arabia at relatively lower fares compared to Saudi Air.
This has led to high patronage for Air Peace and has helped conserve foreign exchange for Nigeria.
The Nigerian embassy in Jeddah reported that even Saudi immigration personnel claimed not to know who canceled the visas.
The cancellations occurred while the airline was already en route to Jeddah.
Of the affected passengers, 177 were deported, and Air Peace has already flown them back to Nigeria.
Industry observers attribute this incident to aeropolitics, suggesting it could be an attempt to force the Nigerian operator out of the route unless the government intervenes using the principle of reciprocity.
In response to the incident, industry expert Group Captain John Ojikutu recommended immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He emphasized the importance of the Nigerian government standing strongly with designated Nigerian carriers operating internationally, advocating for the designation of Nigerian airlines as flag carriers to assert national representation.
Ojikutu urged government intervention to ensure that Air Peace is not denied its rights under the Bilateral Air Service Agreement ,BASA, between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He stressed the need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to actively support Nigerian carriers designated for international flights.
Crediblenews.ng
