Airlines operating international routes out of Nigeria are recording gradual drop in passenger traffic following strict United States (U.S.) visa sanctions that have significantly reduced the number of Nigerians eligible to travel to the North American country. As it stands, Nigeria has no direct flight links between it and U.S, but two United States carriers – Delta and United Airlines operate regular frequencies into the country. It was learnt that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, the two airlines operating to the United Kingdom from Nigeria, are experiencing drop in traffic, while airlines like Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways and others are also having the same unpleasant experience. Though, apart from the two United States airlines mentioned above with direct flights to the U.S, no other foreign airlines operate directly to the country. Akporiaye attributed this to the U.S. visa sanctions, lamenting that travel agents had recorded numerous visa denials within the period.

Source: The Guardian January 16, 2026 04:12 UTC