KLM cancels transit visa for Nigerians
KLM cancels transit visa for Nigerians
By Oyetunji Abioye
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008
Following complaints by Nigerian travelers about hassles and cost of acquiring a transit visa, KLM Airlines has announced the cancellation of the travel document.
A statement by the airline's media representative in Nigeria, Ms Rosemary Omoshie, disclosed this on Monday.
According to her, Nigerian passport holders traveling through Amsterdam Schipol Airport on the Dutch carrier to and from United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland and Japan; and holding valid entry visas for their final destinations, will no longer require airport transit visas.
Recent survey, the statement said, showed that the infamous `transit visa' was among the top three irritators of its frequent travellers.
The company's General Manager, Central Africa, Mr. Ramon Delima, commenting on the development, said the decision was its offer for a hassle-free travel to its Nigerian customers
The Marketing Manager, Nigeria, Frank de Koster, said, "Now, Nigerians do not need a transit visa anymore when flying KLM. It will not only save them a lot of time, they also save some $100 on visa
fee."
According to him, most of its passengers have their final destinations beyond Amsterdam in Europe, North America and Asia.
He added that, "it is important, therefore, to offer passengers a smooth transfer. Amsterdam Schipol Airport is consistently rated as one of the best airports in the world, and the abolition of the
transit visa will certainly improve the position of Amsterdam as the preferred airport."
The statement also said that the carrier and its partner, Northwest Airlines, had increased their network to North America from Amsterdam Schipol Airport, with new direct flight from London Heathrow to the USA.
From Schipol, it added, KLM and Northwest would offer five new destinations this summer.
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