Turkish Embassy grants visa concession to Nigerian passengers

Posted by admin Headlines Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Embassy have granted visa concession to certain categories of Nigerian passengers travelling to Turkey, a statement by the carrier has said.

According to the statement issued on Tuesday, Nigerian visitors to Turkey with valid visas to United Kingdom, United States of America or European Union countries can obtain their visa to Turkey at the Istanbul Airport if they fly the Turkish carrier.

The General Manager, Turkish Airlines, Nigeria, Mr. Ali Bulut, said in Lagos that beginning from April 20, 2011, such visitors did not necessarily need to apply for visa at the embassy in Abuja as long as they had valid visas to the UK, USA and EU states.

“Visitors to Turkey who fly with Turkish Airlines can get a one-month visa by paying the fee of $20 at the Ataturk Airport, Istanbul. This is part of measures to encourage closer relationship between Nigeria and Turkey which was boosted with the recent exchange visits between the presidents of the two countries.”

Bulut, who resumed duty in Lagos recently, added that ‘plans are on to increase frequencies during summer so as to alleviate the sufferings of travellers during such period.”

He said, “The new concept introduced by the airline to business and economy class is an added value to our high standard in-flight services which will be enjoyed by all our passengers all over the world.”

The new general manager noted that the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey had been improving in its operations, especially in passenger handling and information service so as not to have cases of missed flights.

He added that the airline would continue to operate “No Transit Visa” for passengers who would not stay beyond 24hours at the airport as long as they had valid visas to their final destinations.

Turkish Airlines which uses Airbus A330 and A340 on the Istanbul-Lagos route recently signed a firm order for the purchase of 10 Airbus A321s and three A330-200F freighter aircraft to meet its growth plans in the passenger and cargo markets.

The airline has a further 27aircraft on order with Airbus from contracts placed in 2009 and 2010. The new aircraft will join Turkish Airlines’ existing fleet of 75 Airbus aircraft, including four A310 freighters, 50 A320 Family aircraft, 11 A330s, one A330-200F and nine A340s.

-Punchwp_posts