LAGOS – The Federal Government is set to activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangement with Brazil with a plan to initiate direct flight services between the two countries.
There are also indications that the current BASA arrangement between the two countries may be amended to indicate the current realities in the global aviation industry.
A statement by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, said that the minister was following up with this initiative through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the South America country in 2018.
The statement hinted that the MoU was aimed at boosting air connectivity and economic cooperation between the two countries.
He also said that this was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, Keyamo had commenced high-level discussions with Carlos Garcete, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria to activate the BASA.
The statement hinted that during the discussions, both envoys emphasised the need for new BASA arrangements to reflect current realities in the aviation world.
This meeting, he said stemmed from the mutual interests shared by Tinubu and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian President during a meeting in Addis Ababa in February 2024.
According to him both leaders had agreed to reinitiate the BASA arrangements, recognising the cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
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Speaking on the importance of the direct flights, Garcete mentioned the potential for immediate commencement of flight services, noting that both nations could facilitate four to five flights weekly.
He insisted that the introduction of direct flights would spark significant economic growth between the two nations.
However, he also noted the need to finalise the Open Skies agreement to fully enable the proposed flights.
In his response, Keyamo expressed appreciation for the ambassador’s visit and echoed the optimism about the potential economic impact of the BASA.
“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,” he said.
Keyamo also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to advancing bilateral aviation agreements that promote economic development and connectivity.
To ensure the smooth finalisation of this initiative, both countries had agreed to set up committees to draft and finalise a new BASA arrangements.
The ambassador also extended an invitation to Keyamo 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 was set for enhanced growth and expanded international reach.
