[ad_1]
The aviation and diplomatic circles in Nigeria have been ruffled yesterday, because the Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visa of all of the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s main service, Air Peace, on arrival on the nation from Kano, insisting that they be returned to Nigeria.
That is coming at a time President Bola Tinubu, is in Saudi Arabia attending the Arab-Africa summits.
‘We’re investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation guidelines have been flouted’.
Reacting final night time, the Ministry of International Affairs in a press release by the SA Media and Communications Technique to the minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, mentioned it was investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rule had been violated.
The ministry mentioned it might guarantee actions that may affect the welfare of Nigerian residents have been mitigated sooner or later, consistent with the 4-Ds technique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Nigeria has simply participated within the Saudi-Africa Summit the place bilateral discussions overlaying a number of sectors of the financial system and mutually useful commitments have been made,” the assertion learn.
When contacted, the Presidency mentioned it was conscious of the scenario however was but to get the info of the matter.
The Senior Particular Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Tope Ajayi, mentioned: “I’m conscious of what occurred however we do not have the info of what occurred. We’re ready to get updates on the matter.”
Vanguard gathered that the flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, Lagos through the Aminu Kano Worldwide Airport, Kano on Sunday night time and arrived Saudi Arabia’s main metropolis, Jeddah, yesterday with out points.
Nevertheless, on touchdown, the Saudi Arabia authorities introduced that each one the passengers’ visas have been cancelled.
‘Stunning cancellation’
A supply who pleaded anonymity, instructed Vanguard that each one the passengers and the airline personnel have been shocked on the cancellation of the visas as a result of throughout check-in of the passengers, they went via the Advance Passengers Pre-screening System, APPS, which have been additionally monitored by Saudi Arabian authorities earlier than the flight left Nigeria.
The supply questioned whether or not what occurred was a technique to discourage the airline from working to the vacation spot, having recorded excessive load issue because it began the operation.
It was additionally discovered that even the flight to depart Jeddah immediately for Nigeria was already totally booked.
When the Nigerian embassy waded in, the Saudi authorities was mentioned to have diminished the variety of passengers that may be returned to 170 from 264.
Saudi Air has been working straight from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and a supply mentioned that since Air Peace began flight service to the Center East nation at comparatively decrease fares, it had been receiving excessive patronage, serving to to preserve international trade for the nation.
A supply from the Nigerian embassy in Jeddah mentioned even Saudi Immigrations personnel mentioned they did not know who cancelled the visas however famous that they have been cancelled when the airline was already airborne to Jeddah.
The supply mentioned: “The airline was exonerated in all this because the APPS, which is stay between each nations would have screened out any invalid visa and its passenger. The system accepted all affected passengers and handed them on.
“These deported have been 177 passengers and Air Peace has already left with them again to Nigeria. They’re on their method again to Nigeria now.”
‘It is aero-politics’
In the meantime, stakeholders within the sector have attributed the event to aeropolitics, describing the event as a method to pressure the Nigerian operator out of the route except authorities intervened, adopting the precept of reciprocity.
In accordance with trade professional and the Chief Govt Officer, Centurion Aviation Safety and Security Seek the advice of, Group Captain John Ojikutu, the motion of the Saudis is clearly aeropolitics and diplomacy.
He additionally prompt that the Ministry of International Affairs step in instantly and intervene within the case.
He mentioned what occurred confirmed why it is vital for the Federal Authorities to face strongly with any Nigerian service designated to function worldwide locations.
Join free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the newest in African information delivered straight to your inbox
Ojikutu mentioned Nigeria ought to designate airways permitted to function overseas as flag carriers, noting that the US had no nationwide service, as all of the airways are supported by the federal government and designated as flag carriers.
“The motion of the Saudi authorities is surprising. There may be aeropolitics there and there may be additionally diplomacy. There may be want for the Nigerian authorities to face firmly with Nigerian carriers and likewise designate them as flag carriers; in order that different nations will know that they signify Nigeria.
“Authorities should come out and intervene. Authorities should be behind Air Peace now to make sure it isn’t denied its rights as contained within the Bilateral Air Service Settlement, BASA, between the 2 nations.
“The ministry of international affairs should not hold quiet. Nigeria should not hold quiet. Ideally, authorities is anticipated to face behind any of the nation’s airline it designates to fly abroad,” Ojikutu mentioned.
[ad_2]
