The Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is in discussions with Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, to finalise a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two nations, aimed at launching direct flights by Nigerian airlines to Brazil.
A statement issued by Tunde Moshood, media aide to the minister, confirmed that the agreement builds on a 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to boost air connectivity and economic cooperation. Both officials emphasised the need to update the BASA framework to reflect current trends in the aviation industry.
“This initiative follows a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Addis Ababa in February 2024, where both leaders agreed to prioritise the revival of BASA, recognizing the mutual economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil,” the statement read.
Ambassador Garcete highlighted the immediate potential for four to five weekly flights, noting the anticipated economic benefits of direct connectivity between the two countries. “Direct flights will accelerate economic growth and foster closer ties between Nigeria and Brazil,” he said, while urging the finalisation of the Open Skies Agreement to pave the way for seamless operations.
Keyamo expressed confidence in the broader economic impact, stating that increased air connectivity would enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. He also revealed that Nigerian carriers, Air Peace and Caverton, have been selected to operate the route once the agreement is formalised.
To move the project forward, both governments will establish committees to draft and finalise the updated BASA framework. Ambassador Garcete also invited Minister Keyamo to Brazil for the formal signing of the agreement, marking a new milestone in Nigeria-Brazil aviation relations.
Leave feedback about this