Diplomatic talks are in top gear between Nigeria and Brazil that will herald flight operations between the two countries.
This indication became manifest following the commencement of a high-level discussion between the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, to activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and initiate direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
The talks between the Minister and the Brazilian ambassador which has the backing of President Bola Tinubu, is a follow up to an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2018, aimed at boosting air connectivity and economic cooperation.
According to the special adviser to the minister on media and communications, Tunde Moshood, during the meetings, the minister and the Brazilian ambassador stressed the need for new BASA arrangements to reflect current realities in the aviation world. The meeting stemmed 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, recognizing the cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
Speaking on the importance of the direct flights, Ambassador Garcete highlighted the potential for immediate commencement of flight services, noting that both nations could facilitate four to five flights per week.
While acknowledging that the introduction of direct flights between the two countries will spark significant economic growth, the ambassador however, emphasized the need to finalize the Open Skies Agreement to fully enable the proposed flights.
The aviation Minister, who expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s visit and also echoed the optimism about the potential economic impact of the BASA declared: “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.”
To ensure the smooth finalization of this initiative, both countries have agreed to set up committees to draft and finalize a new BASA arrangements even as 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.
Meanwhile, 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 operationalization of this agreement, the Nigerian aviation industry is set for enhanced growth and expanded international reach.
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