Saudi Arabian authorities have canceled the visas of all 264 passengers flown by Nigeria’s Air Peace on its route from Kano to Jeddah.
The airline had successfully transported passengers from Lagos to Kano and then to Jeddah, but upon arrival, Saudi officials demanded their return to Nigeria, insisting that their visas were canceled.
The cancellation occurred despite the passengers going through the Advanced Passengers Prescreening System (APPS), which was monitored by Saudi authorities before the flight.
The move left both passengers and airline personnel shocked.
There are suspicions that this could be a strategy to discourage Air Peace from operating on this lucrative route.
When the Nigerian embassy intervened, Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers to be returned from 264 to 170. While the specific reason for the visa cancellations remains unclear, industry experts attribute it to aeropolitics, suggesting a move to force Air Peace out of the route unless the Nigerian government intervenes.
Group Captain John Ojikutu, CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, emphasized the need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to step in.
“The government must come out and intervene. Nigeria must not keep quiet. Ideally, the government is expected to stand behind any of the country’s airlines that it designates to fly overseas.”
The incident underscores the challenges of international operations and the importance of government support for designated carriers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urged to assert Nigeria’s interests in line with Bilateral Air Service Agreements.
