By Nicholas Ojo
Air Peace has suspended flights to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), over the non-issuance of visas to Nigerians.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had in October slammed a visa ban on Nigerians seeking to visit Dubai. The ban was conveyed in a notice issued to the country’s trade partners in Nigeria, including travel agents.
This is coming weeks after the country tightened visa process to prospective visitors to the country. In the latest decision which also affects virtually all black African nations, the UAE authorities in the notice said, “all Dubai applications submitted are now rejected,” adding that the rejections will be sent in batches.
Although no reason was given for the ban, the Dubai authorities declared that all applications were on-hold until issues between the UAE government and the Nigerian government were resolved.
The decision made by the UAE immigration authorities is for Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE. The UAE government said the rejection notices would be sent in batches to applicants.
Nigeria’s indigenous carrier, Air Peace, however said it would be suspending operations with effect from Tuesday, November 22, 2022, “till further notice.”
In a statement, the Airline said, “This is consequent upon the persisting non-issuance of visas to Nigerian travellers by the government of the United Arab Emirates and the accompanying inconveniences.
“Air Peace has been operating into UAE even with the country’s recent travel restrictions, but given the heightening hurdles Nigerian travellers are facing in accessing the country, it has become imperative that we halt our operations to that destination. We shall provide further updates as the situation progresses.
“Passengers whose flights are affected by this development can mail our Call Center to attend to their concerns,” the statement added.
Emirates, the UAE carrier, had earlier suspended its flights, citing the inability to repatriate ticket funds in addition to the reduced passengers on the route.