In an unexpected turn of events on Monday, Saudi Arabia canceled visas for all 264 passengers arriving in Jeddah from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano, aboard Nigeria’s Air Peace. The Saudi authorities insisted on the immediate return of the passengers to Nigeria. Following intervention by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the affected passengers were reduced from 264 to 177.

The flight, originating from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and transiting through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night, arrived in Jeddah on Monday without issues. However, upon landing, Saudi authorities announced the unexpected cancellation of all passengers’ visas.

Passengers and airline personnel were taken by surprise, as they had undergone Advanced Passengers Prescreening System (APPS) checks during check-in, which were monitored by Saudi Arabian authorities before departure. Questions arose about whether this was a deliberate strategy to discourage the airline, given Air Peace’s consistent high load factors. The upcoming Tuesday flight to Jeddah was already fully booked.

Following the intervention of Nigeria’s embassy, the number of passengers set to be returned was reduced from 264 to 177. Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, has played a significant role in conserving foreign exchange by offering lower fares on flights to Saudi Arabia. A source from the Nigerian embassy in Jeddah clarified that even Saudi Immigrations personnel claimed ignorance about the visa cancellations. These occurred while the airline was en route to Jeddah.

The Advanced Passenger Prescreening System (APPS), operating between both countries, would have identified any invalid visas and rejected the passengers. The 177 deported passengers have already left with Air Peace en route back to Nigeria. Industry observers attributed this incident to aeropolitics, considering it a potential strategy to compel the Nigerian operator to withdraw from the route unless government intervention, based on the principle of reciprocity, occurs.

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