The Nigerian government, represented by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, has officially signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Kuwait to initiate direct flights between the two nations.
Keyamo made the announcement via his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
BASA is a bilateral air transport agreement that enables designated airlines from the signatory countries to conduct commercial flights, encompassing the transportation of both passengers and cargo.
Keyamo revealed that the agreement was formalized during the ongoing International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) event organized by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The newly signed agreement is expected to pave the way for the commencement of direct flights, catering to both passengers and cargo, connecting Nigeria and Kuwait.
“Earlier today, at the ongoing International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) event of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I signed the legal Instrument of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) on behalf of Nigeria with the State of Kuwait, for the commencement of direct flights (passengers and cargo) between both countries,” he said.
“This will boost trade, tourism and economic relations between both countries. My team and I will continue the negotiations of different routes with different countries that are present here for this annual event of ICAO till later in the week.”
This is coming three months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the signing of the agreement between both countries.