By Muhammad Mamman
Airlines operating international routes out of Nigeria are recording a gradual decline in passenger traffic following stricter United States visa sanctions that have sharply reduced the number of Nigerians eligible to travel to North America.
Industry sources say the impact is being felt most on transatlantic routes linking Lagos and Abuja with major US cities, where demand has softened in recent weeks as visa approvals drop and travel plans are shelved.
The tighter visa regime, introduced by US authorities as part of broader immigration and security measures, has led to a significant fall in successful applications from Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest sources of travellers to the United States.
Airline operators told Al Jazeera that the reduced demand is forcing carriers to reassess capacity, pricing and scheduling on affected routes, with some considering fewer frequencies during traditionally busy travel periods.
“Nigeria has always been a strong market for US-bound travel, but the new visa restrictions are clearly changing passenger behaviour,” an aviation industry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Travel agents also report a downturn in enquiries for US destinations, with many prospective travellers redirecting plans towards Europe, the Middle East or other parts of Africa where entry requirements are seen as less restrictive.
Analysts warn that a prolonged slump in passenger numbers could have wider economic implications, affecting airline revenues, airport operations and associated service industries. They add that continued uncertainty over visa policies may further dampen confidence in long-haul travel from Nigeria.
Neither the US embassy in Nigeria nor Nigerian aviation authorities have publicly commented on the reported decline in passenger traffic.
For now, airlines say they are closely monitoring trends, as US visa policies continue to shape travel patterns across one of Africa’s busiest aviation markets.
