The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that Nigeria has initiated discussions with the Brazilian Ambassador, Carlos Garcete, to activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and establish direct flights between both nations.
A statement released on Monday by the Special Adviser, Media and Communications to Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, revealed that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to enhance air connectivity and economic collaboration with Brazil.
The talks build on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018, aimed at boosting trade and cooperation through improved air travel links. Both parties acknowledged the need to update the BASA to reflect current trends in global aviation.
The discussions followed a meeting between President Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Addis Ababa in February 2024, where they agreed to revive the BASA in recognition of the strong cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
Ambassador Garcete emphasized the potential economic benefits of direct flights, suggesting that flight services could start with 4 to 5 weekly trips between the two countries. He also highlighted the need to finalize the Open Skies Agreement to fully facilitate these flights.
Keyamo expressed his gratitude for the Ambassador’s visit and echoed the excitement over the economic prospects of the BASA. Both countries have agreed to establish committees to finalize new BASA arrangements.
Ambassador Garcete invited Keyamo to visit Brazil for the formal signing of the agreement, marking a key step in Nigeria-Brazil relations. Two Nigerian airlines, Air Peace and Caverton, have been designated to operate on the Nigeria-Brazil route, further solidifying the strategic partnership.
