Nigerian Government to Review Air Service Agreement with Algeria

• The Nigerian federal government plans to review its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Algeria to enable direct flights between Nigeria and North Africa
• The review comes after a meeting with the Algerian Ambassador, who expressed interest in a direct flight route to Abuja, citing Nigeria as an important business partner for Algeria

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has announced that the Nigerian federal government intends to review its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Algeria. This review aims to facilitate direct flights between Nigeria and North Africa.

Keyamo made this statement during a meeting with the Algerian Ambassador, Mr. Hacine LALTI, who visited him in his office in Abuja. The Ministry’s spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, issued a statement on this development.

Keyamo expressed his commitment to achieving the demand for a direct flight route to Abuja. He also mentioned that meetings involving aeronautical engineers from both countries, originally scheduled for December, will now be tentatively moved forward to November 7th to expedite the review of the BASA agreement, as requested.

Previously, the Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Algeria allowed only an airline from that country to fly to Lagos. However, in his meeting with Keyamo, the Algerian Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and requested a review of the agreement dated July 14th, 2022, to include a direct flight connection to Abuja.

He noted that the government of Algeria has identified Nigeria and South Africa as important business partners.

Furthermore, Minister Keyamo pledged to witness the inaugural flight from Uganda to Nigeria. He hosted the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, in a separate meeting.

Keyamo highlighted the historical ties of brotherhood between Nigeria and Uganda and the upcoming inaugural flight, which he sees as the start of a partnership between the two countries. He also emphasized that open skies would facilitate the achievement of free trade agreements among African countries.

Ambassador Nelson Ocheger invited the minister to attend the inaugural flight to Nigeria on Thursday, October 19, 2023. He also informed the minister about a business forum slated for Friday, October 21, 2023, where business entrepreneurs from Uganda will meet with their Nigerian counterparts to explore collaboration and business opportunities.