A recent video showing a Delta Airlines flight from the United States to Lagos with rows of empty seats has sparked concerns among travel industry stakeholders.
The video, taken by a passenger on the flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Lagos, has gone viral, highlighting a significant drop in passenger traffic on the route.
This development comes months after Delta Airlines announced it would begin operating daily nonstop flights between New York and Lagos from December 2023 through February 2024.
During this period, the airline upgraded its aircraft on the route from the Airbus A330-200, which seats 223 passengers, to the larger Airbus A330-900neo, capable of carrying 281 passengers.
Industry experts have attributed the sudden decline in passenger numbers to growing unease around U.S. immigration policies. Many believe that increased visa denials and the fear of being denied re-entry into the United States have discouraged Nigerian travelers.
“There have been arbitrary visa denials without explanation, and some travelers have sworn off applying again,” a frequent flyer commented. “Trump’s policies and the stories of people being turned back or harassed at U.S. borders are definitely playing a role.”
The impact of these issues, some say, has been building for over a year and is only now becoming visible.
In a related development, BusinessDay recently reported that airlines flying from Nigeria to Europe are reducing fares and launching promotional offers to attract more travelers. This shift comes during the traditional low travel season, typically spanning February to May, when demand for international travel dips.
British Airways, for example, has cut its premium economy fares to London to as low as $300, compared to earlier prices of over $1,000.
Overall, the cost of return economy tickets from Lagos to various European destinations has dropped by 15% to 25%, with fares now ranging between N2 million and N3 million—an attempt by airlines to stimulate demand ahead of the summer season.
