Travel News

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

Delta Air Lines has announced the introduction of the A350-900 and Airbus A330-900neo on routes connecting Lagos to major U.S. cities as part of its plans to enhance services for passengers travelling between both countries.

According to a Tuesday release made available to The PUNCH, the airline will begin operating both aircraft on select flights starting in October 2025, being part of improvements aimed at elevating the overall travel experience and reaffirming the airline’s long-term commitment to West Africa.

Delta is also investing in infrastructure on the ground, as it also promised a refurbished premium lounge at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos that will offer travellers more comfort and convenience ahead of their flights.

Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, Matteo Curcio, emphasised the significance of these changes, which he said reflect the company’s dedication to providing exceptional service to Nigerian travellers.

He explained, “With the launch of our new premium lounge in Lagos and the deployment of our newest aircraft, we are reaffirming Delta’s commitment to Nigerian travellers. This is more than an upgrade; it’s an investment in the future.

“The new Lagos lounge will feature modern Nigerian-inspired interiors, high-speed Wi-Fi, private relaxation spaces, and premium refreshments. It is designed to serve Delta One customers and high-value clients in the oil and gas sector.”

This revamped facility is aimed at providing an elevated pre-flight experience and reinforcing Delta’s reputation as a leader in premium transatlantic travel from West Africa.

Starting from October, Delta stressed that it will operate its flagship Airbus A350-900 on its Lagos–Atlanta route.

During the peak holiday season from December 2 to January 16, the Lagos–New York route will be served by the Airbus A330-900neo, another advanced aircraft in Delta’s fleet.

Also, the General Manager for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India of the airline, Joseph Young, noted that the A350-900 will replace the A330-200 and provide a 35 per cent increase in seat capacity for the Atlanta route.

He added that “The A350-900 and A330-900neo both offer quieter cabins, better fuel efficiency, and improved in-flight comfort. Passengers can enjoy wider seats, better air pressure and humidity, and a more pleasant onboard environment.”

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced more stringent entry restrictions for Nigerians, including a ban on transit visa applications and new limitations on tourist visas.

The latest directives communicated to Nigerian travel agents on Tuesday as confirmed by Daily Trust sparked concern within the travel and tourism sector.

In a major policy shift expected to significantly reduce travel from Nigeria to Dubai—one of the UAE’s top destinations for business and leisure—the authorities now restrict Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 from obtaining tourist visas unless they are accompanied.

This development comes nearly a year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa ban on Nigerians, a move that was initially welcomed but accompanied by tight entry conditions.

Travel agents who spoke with Daily Trust confirmed that the situation is worsening with the latest visa process review.

According to the notification from Dubai immigration shared with travel agencies, transit visa applications will no longer be processed for Nigerian nationals.

The directive further stated, “For Nigeria nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for TOURIST VISA CATEGORY.”

“An applicant who is 45yrs or above must provide a Single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.

“Kindly note that the above points must be taken into consideration before sending your applications with other existing documents such as hotel reservation, data page, etc.”

New UAE Visa Conditions for Nigerians

1. Transit visa applications are no longer allowed for Nigerian nationals.
2. Nigerians aged 18 to 45 years are ineligible for tourist visas if traveling alone.
3. Applicants aged 45 years and above must provide:
   • A personal bank statement from a Nigerian bank for the last six months.
   • Each month’s statement must show an ending balance of at least $10,000 or its naira equivalent.
4. All existing requirements such as hotel reservations and passport data pages must still be submitted with applications.

BY Chiamaka Enendu & Mansur Abubakar

The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the country.

From 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months.

It says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more.

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.

The Nigerian government has not yet commented.

The State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks.

In a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international standards.

These include:

• issuing secure travel documents

• managing visa overstays

• sharing security or criminal data for public safety purposes

The US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States".

Nigeria was the seventh largest source of international students to the US, and the highest in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Doors report on international education exchanges.

The report published by the US department of state, bureau of educational and cultural affairs showed a 13.5% increase from 2023.

An aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he believed the US was not reciprocating but showing its displeasure with Nigeria.

Bashir Ahmad posted on X that President Bola Tinubu‘s recent visit to Brazil for the Brics gathering was behind the move.

“This is not solely about reciprocity. Rather, it appears to reflect growing US discomfort with Nigeria's increasing global realignment, particularly the warm reception we are receiving from the Brics,” he wrote.

Immigration lawyer Godwin Oke thinks differently and told the BBC: "This is a classic case of visa reciprocity under international diplomatic practice. Countries often align their visa terms to reflect mutual treatment.

"The US had been issuing Nigerians five-year multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria only offered Americans short-term, single-entry visas. From a policy standpoint, it was only a matter of time before the imbalance was addressed."

In March this year, the US mission in Nigeria issued a stern warning, saying overstaying a visa could lead to a permanent travel ban and potential criminal prosecution.

There is no official data showing the number of Nigerian travellers to the US who overstay their visas.

But Nigerians are worried that the number who get visas will fall under President Donald Trump's tough immigration policies.

Many young Nigerians would like to leave the country in what is called Japa (Japa means escape in the Yoruba language) and the US remains one of the most desirable destinations.

BY  Roshni Majumdar with Reuters

57 minutes ago

The US State Department has said it is going to issue single-entry three-month visas for Nigerians in non-immigrant and non-diplomatic categories, rolling back five-year multiple-entry visas.

The US State Department has announced new visa rules for Nigerians wishing to travel to the US in the non-immigrant and non-diplomat categories.

The US embassy in Nigeria posted to its website

 on July 8 that the US would issue single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

That rolls back the previous five-year multiple-entry visas that Nigerians enjoyed when it came to traveling to the US.

US President Donald Trump has signed a directive banning the citizens of 12 countries, seven in Africa, from entering the US.

A State Department memo from June indicated the US was considering a travel ban on 36 other countries, including Nigeria. That proposed, expanded, ban has not yet been officially announced. 

"We wish to underscore that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity," the statement said. 

A Nigerian foreign ministry official told local media that Nigeria had no similar policy toward US citizens, according to Reuters news agency.

Nigeria received nearly one-fifth of the non-immigrant visas issued by the US government in 2024 in Africa, according to the State Department.

BY Ojochenemi Onje 

The United Kingdom has announced that from July 15, 2025, most Nigerians applying for study or work visas will receive electronic visas (eVisas) instead of the traditional physical visa vignette stickers.

This development, according to the British High Commission in Abuja, is part of the UK Government’s wider transition to a fully digital immigration process designed to make international travel more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.

Under the new system, successful applicants will be issued a digital eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status, rather than having a visa label pasted in their passport.

According to the Commission, the change applies specifically to study and work visa applications submitted on or after July 15.

It noted that individuals who submit their applications before that date will still undergo the existing process, which includes submitting their passport at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and receiving a vignette.

“Similarly, applicants travelling as dependants, such as spouses or children, as well as those applying for standard visitor visas, will continue to receive visa vignette stickers in their passports for the time being.

“Despite the removal of the physical visa for most categories, all applicants are still required to attend a VAC to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs, as part of the application procedure. Once a decision is reached, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) informing them of the outcome and guiding them to create a UKVI account through which they can access and manage their eVisa”, the Commission stated.

Speaking on the launch of the digital visa process, Gill Lever OBE, Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, described the transition as a positive step for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UK.

“We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport.

“This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families”, She stated.

She also noted that the digital visa platform is already in use in some aspects of the UK immigration system. eVisas have replaced Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for individuals granted permission to stay in the UK for over six months.

“Those with eVisas and UKVI accounts can use the “View and Prove” online service to securely share their immigration status with third parties, including landlords and employers in England.

“Applicants are expected to begin their application online via the official UK government website.

“They must still visit a VAC to submit biometric details, but if the visa being applied for falls under the new eVisa system, their passport will not be held and can be taken home the same day”, the Commission added.

It also mentioned that once a visa decision has been made, applicants will receive detailed instructions in their notification on how to create and use their UKVI account, which must be linked to their current passport.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed stringent new entry restrictions on Nigerian travellers, tightening access to one of the most popular destinations for business and leisure in the Middle East.

Multiple travel agents confirmed on Tuesday that under fresh directives from Dubai immigration authorities, Nigerians aged between 18 and 45 are no longer eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied by family or in groups.

The new guidelines also introduce steep financial requirements for older travellers. Nigerians aged 45 and above must now submit a personal bank statement covering the past six months, with each month showing a minimum ending balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent) before they can be considered for a tourist visa.

“For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for the tourist visa category,” read a notificaion issued by Dubai immigration, which has since been circulated by travel agents.

“An applicant who is 45 years or above must provide a single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of the last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.”

In addition to these requirements, the UAE has banned transit visa applications entirely for Nigerian passport holders, a move that industry insiders say will further limit Nigerians’ ability to connect flights through Dubai, a major international hub.

Travel experts expect the policy to significantly curtail travel from Nigeria to Dubai, a city that has long been a magnet for shoppers, holidaymakers, and entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities in the Gulf.

“Kindly note that the above points must be taken into consideration before sending your applications with other existing documents such as hotel reservation, data page, etc,” the advisory stated.

While UAE authorities have not given an official explanation for the sweeping restrictions, the move comes amid long standing diplomatic and migration-related tensions between both countries. Many travellers now face the prospect of rethinking their plans or meeting higher financial thresholds at a time when the naira remains volatile.

Industry watchers say the new rules could push more Nigerians to look for alternative destinations or routes, with ripple effects likely for airlines and tour operators that rely heavily on the Dubai market.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, is set to inaugurate Enugu Air on July 7.

In an advertorial on Sunday, Enugu state government said the airline will begin its maiden domestic flight operations.

In the advertorial, signed by Obi Ozor, commissioner for transport, Enugu state, the government expressed delight at announcing the launch of the state-owned commercial airline.

According to the statement, the airline is part of the integrated blueprint of the administration of Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu state, for a modern, multifaceted transport ecosystem, and its vision to make Enugu a major aviation hub.

“Starting with an initial fleet of three Embraer E170 and E190 series aircraft selected for their efficiency, comfort, and adaptability to the regional market, Enugu Air is poised to establish a golden triangle with Enugu of its core, connecting Abuja and Lagos and subsequently extending to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other strategic cities across Nigeria and beyond,” the advertorial reads.

With a strong foundation of innovation and sustainability, the government said it is “ready to redefine air travel,” and invited Nigerians to join the state as it takes “bold and historic stride”.

By Justice Okamgba

Air passengers flying out of Nigeria are paying one of the highest amounts in taxes and charges across Africa, with an average cost of $180 per international departure, nearly three times the continental average of $68, according to a new report by the African Airlines Association.

The study, titled AFRAA Taxes and Charges Study Review 2024, obtained by Sunday PUNCH, highlights how excessive taxes, fees, and charges are hurting the growth of the aviation industry in Africa and putting an unfair burden on travellers.

Nigeria ranks as the third most expensive country in Africa in terms of air ticket taxes and charges, trailing only Gabon and Sierra Leone. Other West African countries like Niger, Benin, and Ghana also made the top 10 list of the continent’s costliest nations for air travel taxes.

On average, a passenger flying internationally from Africa pays $68 in taxes and charges, twice the global average and significantly higher than in Europe or the Middle East.

But in countries like Nigeria, passengers are paying more than double that figure due to a combination of government-imposed taxes, airport fees, and service charges.

“Gabon topped the list of Africa’s most expensive countries for international air departures, with passengers paying an average of $297.70 in taxes. Sierra Leone followed closely at $294, while Nigeria ranked third with $180 in charges per international flight,” the document showed.

Other countries listed among the ten most expensive included Djibouti ($168.70), Niger ($130.70), Benin ($123.40), Senegal ($122.60), Liberia ($115), Ghana ($111.50), the Democratic Republic of Congo ($109.90), and Chad ($105.70).

In contrast, the report named Libya as the least expensive country, where air passengers pay just $1.30 in taxes. Other countries with minimal departure charges included Malawi ($5.00), Lesotho ($5.70), Algeria ($9.80), Eswatini ($14.20), Tunisia ($15.40), Botswana ($18.90), Morocco ($25.10), Sao Tome ($26.00), Angola ($28.40), and South Africa ($28.50).

The association attributed the problem to non-adherence to International Civil Aviation Organisation policies, fragmented tax regimes, and overreliance on aviation as a source of government revenue.

“Air transport is perceived as a luxury service across the continent,” the report said, “leading governments, airports and service providers to overcharge airlines, even though many are struggling to survive.”

The group warned that the excessive charges are discouraging travel, stifling regional connectivity, and undermining the growth of the aviation sector across Africa.

It urged governments to harmonise tax policies, reduce passenger charges, and explore alternative funding mechanisms for aviation infrastructure.

Out of 54 African countries studied, 14 charge passengers over $100 in taxes and fees, up from 13 countries in 2022, a sign of worsening conditions for airlines and travellers.

The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines’ Representatives in Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma, said high operational costs continue to drive up airfares, making it more expensive to fly from Nigeria to other African countries than to some destinations in Europe.

“Data doesn’t lie. Nigeria is one of the most expensive countries in Africa to do aviation business,” the executive told our correspondent. “It’s more expensive to fly from Nigeria to Togo or Yaoundé than it is to fly into Europe in some cases.”

Beyond the high exchange rate and aviation fuel, airlines also struggle with limited access to affordable aircraft leasing and unfavourable terms from lessors.

The Nigerian government has acknowledged some of the issues and continues to find a lasting solution. Among these, it recently cleared a backlog of nearly $900m in foreign airline revenues that had been trapped due to a shortage of foreign exchange.

This issue had previously caused airlines to raise fares for Nigerian routes. Authorities have since urged airlines to adjust ticket prices in line with the improved situation.

The government has also signed the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction, intended to make aircraft leasing easier and more affordable for Nigerian carriers. Officials said this is expected to reduce operational costs in the long term.

The Ministry of Aviation led by Festus Keyamo has committed to supporting domestic airlines in acquiring aircraft at more favourable rates and accessing global markets for better leasing and financing terms. A review of airport-related charges is also underway, with the goal of easing the financial burden on both airlines and passengers.

According to Nwokoma, several foreign and local airlines have raised concerns about multiple charges levied by aviation authorities, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

“We have spoken about this several times to FAAN. The system needs to be reviewed. If airlines pay more, those costs will ultimately be passed on to travellers,” he said.

Nwokoma described the current charges in Nigeria as the highest on the continent and warned that unless regulatory authorities address these issues, the country risks losing competitiveness in regional air travel.

“The statistics are clear and factual. The only way out is to review and reduce the multiple charges placed on airlines,” he added.

An aviation executive who declined to be named backed Nwokoma’s position, describing Nigeria’s aviation charges as unsustainable and a key factor driving travellers to neighbouring countries.

“You think airlines are being multiple-taxed? Yes, they are,” the executive told Saturday PUNCH. “This is not new. Airlines have been complaining about this. It’s simple: go to Ghana, Mali, or Togo,  tickets are cheaper, and it’s also cheaper to export goods.”

The analyst also noted that high taxes and operational costs are forcing Nigerian travellers, especially students, to buy tickets from other West African countries where it is more affordable.

“Landing fees, parking fees, and other charges here are high. It has a direct impact on airfares. And it doesn’t end there, even agricultural exports are affected,” the source added.

“For instance, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of yam, yet much of the yam exported from this region is labelled as a Ghanaian product because it’s cheaper and easier to export through Ghana.

The executive called for urgent reforms to reduce taxes and improve the ease of doing business in the aviation sector.

“If we want to compete globally and not continue shifting the cost burden to passengers, we need to fix our system. Our only advantage right now is population, but we are losing that edge when travellers and exporters find better alternatives next door.”

LAGOS, NIGERIA, July 9 (Reuters) - Nigerians seeking to travel to the United States on non-immigrant visas will now receive single-entry three-month permits, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said, rolling back the up to five-year, multiple-entry visas they enjoyed previously.

"We wish to underscore that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity," the statement on the embassy's website said.

By Solomon Odeniyi

The British High Commission in Abuja on Wednesday announced a change to the United Kingdom’s immigration process for Nigerians applying for study and work visas.

Starting from 15 July 2025, most applicants in these categories will begin receiving digital eVisas instead of the traditional visa stickers in their passports, a statement from the BHC revealed.

The new policy will only apply to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Those who submit their applications before this date will still follow the existing procedure, which includes submitting their passport at a Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette.

According to the statement, “From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport. “Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system.