The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has begun discussions with the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, to activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries.
This initiative aims to establish direct flights, enhancing connectivity and promoting trade and tourism between Nigeria and Brazil.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, on Monday, according to The Punch.
According to the statement, this strategic meeting follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Nigeria and Brazil in 2018, which aimed to enhance air connectivity and economic cooperation.
Moshood noted that during the discussions, the minister and the ambassador emphasized the necessity of updating the BASA to align with current realities in the aviation industry.
“This meeting stems from the mutual interests shared by President Bola 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,” Moshood stated.
Speaking on the importance of direct flights, the ambassador emphasized the potential for immediate commencement of services, indicating that both nations could facilitate four to five flights per week. This arrangement would significantly enhance travel options and strengthen ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
“The introduction of direct flights will spark significant economic growth between our countries,” he stated.
He also highlighted the need to finalize the Open Skies Agreement to fully enable the proposed flights.
Moshood mentioned that the aviation minister expressed gratitude for the ambassador’s visit and conveyed optimism about the potential economic impact of the BASA.
Quoting Keyamo, the statement said, “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.”
The statement stated that Air Peace and Caverton had been designated to operate the route.
“To ensure the smooth finalisation of this initiative, both countries have agreed to set up committees to draft and finalise new BASA arrangements. The ambassador also extended an invitation to the minister to visit Brazil for the formal signing of the agreement, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria-Brazil relations.
“Two Nigerian airlines, Air Peace and Caverton, have been designated to operate on this route, further underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations. With the operationalisation of this agreement, the Nigerian aviation industry is set for enhanced growth and expanded international reach,” the statement reads partly,” it stated.
