Emirates offers free transit visas to Nigerian passengers as flights resume

Emirates, which resumed flights to Nigeria a month ago, has introduced free transit visas for the country’s passengers transiting through Dubai to other destinations.

A message Emirates sent to its potential passengers said: “We are pleased to offer 48- and 96-hour UAE visas to our passengers purchasing tickets in November.”

The offer is limited to passengers traveling on Emirates flights from Nigeria, which is apparently a boost in popularity as the airline has lost a segment of its market in Nigeria after a two-year hiatus.

Group Managing Director (GMD) of Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard, said the introduction of free transit visas is simply to encourage passengers to book Emirates tickets as the airline has not been accepting passengers since it resumed flights to Nigeria.

“What they need to do next is relax visa rules. People moved on. Emiratis are feeling the heat, and they could feel it even more if the UAE fails to relax its visa rules.

“They need to study their return so they know which way to go. The Emirates needs to rebuild. They are also tough on travel agencies,” Bernard said.

Other travel agencies who spoke to THISDAY noted a similar observation, stressing that after two years, the Middle East carrier should expect a lukewarm response to the resumption of flights as travelers looked for alternatives and moved on.

“So, this campaign is a kind of awakening to encourage people to look in their direction and start patronizing them. Knowing their efficiency and good service, they will increase the number of passengers from Nigeria, but this will take some time.

“Maybe they will break the ice for the Christmas season and the upcoming Hajj. But Nigeria still has a strong international passenger market. They will have to fight to regain their original position,” said THIS travel agent.

Chinedu Eze

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