Keyamo
Nigeria in talks with Brazil to operate direct flights
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is in talks with the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, over the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) towards the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, on Monday, said this is in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
It further stated that the strategic meeting follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations in 2018, aimed at boosting air connectivity and economic cooperation.
According the statement, “During the discussions, both envoys emphasised the need for new BASA arrangements to reflect current realities in the aviation world.
“This meeting stems from the mutual interests shared by President Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a meeting in Addis Ababa in February 2024, where they agreed to reinitiate the BASA arrangements, recognising the cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.”
Ambassador Garcete also identified the potential for immediate commencement of flight services, noting that both nations could facilitate 4 to 5 flights per week.
He said, “The introduction of direct flights will spark significant economic growth between our countries,” emphasuzing the need to finalise the Open Skies Agreement to fully enable the proposed flights.
The Aviation Minister appreciated the Ambassador’s visit and expressed optimism about the potential economic impact of the BASA.
According to him, “There are numerous similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, and the activation of these flights will not only enhance trade but also strengthen cultural and social exchanges.”
Nigeria and Brazil are to set up committees to draft and finalise new BASA arrangements, while the Ambassador extended an invitation to the Aviation Minister to visit Brazil for the formal signing of the agreement.
Two Nigerian airlines, Air Peace and Caverton, have been designated to operate on this route, further underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations.