.png)
.png)
3 weeks ago
10
- Travel adept Mobolaji Ogundairo says that galore Nigerian travelers person shifted absorption from Dubai to destinations similar Turkey, France, and the UK.
- Ogundairo besides told Legit.ng that travelers inactive heading to the UAE are mostly connected authoritative business, a class that usually attracts minimal scrutiny
- Grace Oluwaleye, a question agent, emphasised that lawsuit restitution is important successful aviation, adding that nonaccomplishment to conscionable travelers' needs pushes them toward alternatives
Industry experts person revealed that Dubai is losing its entreaty among Nigerian travelers arsenic strict United Arab Emirates visa policies thrust them toward much accessible destinations, worsening Emirates Airlines’ struggles connected the Lagos-Dubai route.
Source: Getty Images
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Emirates Airlines resumed flights successful Nigeria aft a two-year suspension caused by a forex backlog. However, contempt the resumption, the hose has been struggling with debased rider turnout connected the Lagos-Dubai route.
This diminution is linked to the UAE’s strict visa policies for Nigerians, which were imposed soon aft lifting the question ban. Reports bespeak that galore Nigerian travelers are incapable to conscionable the caller visa requirements, starring to near-empty flights. As a result, Emirates is reportedly considering withdrawing from Nigeria again, prompting concerns astir the airline’s aboriginal successful the country.
Nigerians research caller destinations
Travel adept Mobolaji Ogundairo confirmed a displacement successful question trends, stating that Dubai is nary longer the apical prime for Nigerian travelers.
He told Legit.ng:
"Indeed, Emirates' debased rider numbers, coupled with the UAE's evolving visa policies, person noticeably impacted question trends. Many of my clients who antecedently prioritized Dubai are present exploring alternate destinations, with Turkey, which dominated the question destinations for 2024, and immoderate parts of Europe (France, the UK, and Italy) becoming progressively popular. These destinations connection much flexible visa options and comparable luxury experiences, making them charismatic substitutes."He further noted however Nigerian travelers had already adapted to the restrictions imposed by the UAE adjacent earlier the caller visa requirements.
"The UAE had already imposed strict restrictions connected Nigerian travelers agelong earlier lifting the prohibition and introducing caller visa requirements. During this period, galore Nigerian travelers had already shifted their absorption to different trending destinations similar Turkey and the Schengen area, which saw the highest influx of Nigerian visitors betwixt 2023 and 2024," Ogundairo added.Air Peace's Dubai ambition faces hurdles
With Nigeria’s Air Peace seeking to found a beardown beingness connected the Lagos-Dubai route, Ogundairo believes the hose whitethorn conflict owed to lingering visa complications.
As helium enactment it:
"Air Peace’s determination to found flights connected the Dubai way seems similar an uphill battle. Given the complexities surrounding UAE visa policies and erstwhile question restrictions, it volition instrumentality clip earlier Nigerians commencement frequenting Dubai again."He besides noted that astir Nigerian travelers presently heading to the UAE are doing truthful for authoritative assignments alternatively than leisure.
"From my acquisition arsenic a question agent, the bulk of those inactive traveling to the UAE bash truthful for authoritative assignments, which mostly necessitate little scrutiny. However, for casual travelers, the process has go acold much challenging and, frankly, discouraging. Since the opening of 2025, I person yet to process a azygous visa, flight, oregon question program for anyone headed to the UAE."
Source: Getty Images
Emirates losing relevance successful Nigeria
Another question expert, Grace Oluwaleye, speaking with Legit.ng, posited that lawsuit dissatisfaction and reduced request person importantly affected Emirates Airlines.
"The aviation manufacture is highly competitive, wherever lawsuit restitution plays a pivotal relation successful marketplace retention. As the adage goes, 'the lawsuit is king,' and nonaccomplishment to prioritize their needs often results successful them seeking alternatives, readily disposable successful this dynamic sector."According to her, Dubai has faded from travelers' minds, with clients nary longer showing involvement successful Emirates flights.
She said:
"Notably, determination has been a discernible displacement successful question preferences distant from Dubai. As a question agent, I person noticed that successful a agelong portion now, clients person not inquired astir flights to Dubai oregon specifically requested Emirates Airlines for different routes. This inclination underscores the interaction of reduced visibility connected user demand, reinforcing the conception that 'out of show is retired of mind.'"Emirates Offers Free Transit Visas to Nigerians
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Emirates Airlines introduced free 48 oregon 96-hour transit visas for Nigerian passengers who bought tickets successful November 2024. The hose had aimed to boost patronage aft struggling with debased bookings.
Experts attributed the debased patronage to strict UAE visa policies and Emirates’ dollar-based summons pricing. Nigerian travelers were required to amusement a $10,000 slope balance, round-trip tickets, and edifice reservations, discouraging galore from flying.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), however, criticised Emirates for selling tickets successful dollars.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck retired quality that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” artifact connected the location leafage and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
