By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Delta Airlines says it will resume international flights to the United States on November 8 in response to the lifting of travel restrictions on foreign countries.
Delta Airlines Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Ed Bastian announced that the reopening of international travel would allow for the reunification of thousands of families and friends from around the world separated for nearly two years.
In Nigeria, air travel in Nigeria recovered from coronavirus in the third quarter of 2021 (Q3 2021) even as the pandemic has forever changed the sector in the view of Brian Chesky, the boss of AirBnb.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Bastian as saying that the integrated digital health credential platform Delta FlyReady would enable passengers to upload required COVID-19 test/vaccine documents, per The Nation.
His words: “Effective November 8, vaccinated international travelers who want to come to the US can now do so.
“This is sequel to Joe Biden Administration’s announcement that it will lift travel restrictions on foreign nationals that have been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19.
“The reopening of international travel will allow for the reunification of thousands of families and friends from around the world who have been separated for more than 18 months, just in time for the holidays.
“International travel is vital to help reverse the devastating economic impact on America’s travel and tourism industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic.
“It is also an essential component in recovering global trade and commerce, particularly across the Atlantic. New York JFK to London Heathrow is the world’s most important route for business travel.”
Bastian applauded the administration’s decision to welcome foreign nationals back to the United States beginning November 8.
He also lauded the remarkable scientific efforts undertaken by the administration to protect public health through world-leading vaccination programs and health safety protocols, US borders can safely be reopened.
He said the Delta Airlines was excited to play its part in reuniting families for the holidays and reconnecting the world after more than 18 months apart.
While leisure travel had remained consistently high, he added, the airline was adding more flights across the globe as demand for international and business travel returns.
“In November, customers traveling to the US from across the pond can easily connect to Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, New York-JFK, Minneapolis, Seattle and Salt Lake City.
“These are with over 190 weekly nonstop flights from 16 markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”
According to Bastian, this include partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, and passengers had even greater choice with over 430 weekly flights to the US.
Air travel surges in Nigeria
Air travel in Nigeria surged past coronavirus in Q3 2021 as new entrants – such as Green Africa Airways, Cally Air, Kanem Air, and United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) – raised the stakes through competitive fares on routes where older players charged arbitrarily
Green African Airways has introduced the lowest fares in form of promotionals which have pushed competitors to rethink strategy on routes such as Lagos-Abuja, Ilorin, Akure, Ilorin, Enugu, Owerri, and Port Harcourt.
Cally Air, Ibom Air, and UNA also charge competitive fares on major routes which passengers and industry watchers describe as the best thing to happen to the sector.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General Musa Nuhu cited statistics to confirm increase in passenger traffic and told The Nation that Q3 was eventful for the industry.