The Saudi Arabian authorities have cancelled the visas of all 264 passengers airlifted by Air Peace to Jeddah from Kano on Monday and have insisted that the airline should return them to Nigeria.
The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, via the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday night and arrived in Saudi Arabia’s major city on Monday.
However, upon landing, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas were cancelled.
POLITICS NIGERIA understands that the reason for the visa cancellations is unclear.
An industry expert, John Ojikutu, who doubles as the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Nigeria, confirmed the development.
“The action of the Saudi Authorities is shocking. There is aero politics there, and there is also diplomacy. There is a need for the Nigerian government to stand firmly with Nigerian carriers and designate them as flag carriers so that other countries will know that they represent Nigeria.
“Government must come out and intervene”, he said.
This newspaper gathered that when the Nigerian Embassy waded in, Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.
Saudi Air has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia. However, since Air Peace started flight service to the country at relatively lower fares, it has been receiving high patronage.
