Good News for Passengers as Nigeria Partners Another Country on Direct Flight Service

• The federal government has announced plans to establish a direct aviation connection between Nigeria and Jamaica
• According to the aviation minister, the goal is to improve both nations' commercial and diplomatic ties
• He noted that one of the biggest challenges facing Jamaica was its dependence on Trinidad and Tobago for international air travel

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

To strengthen diplomatic and commercial connections between Nigeria and Jamaica, the federal government has announced plans to create a direct air connection between the two nations.

This was revealed by Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, in an exclusive meeting with Lincoln Downer, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, in Abuja.

Ambassador Downer emphasised the urgent need to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly through an enhanced Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), during the discussion

He revealed that his government had directly tasked him with expanding trade and aviation travel between Nigeria and Jamaica. He also highlighted the growing demand for Jamaican goods in Nigeria, as well as the increasing popularity of Afrobeat music and Nollywood films in Jamaica.

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He pointed out that Jamaica's lack of a national airline and reliance on Trinidad and Tobago for international air travel was a significant obstacle, and he suggested a cooperative BASA arrangement to close this gap while highlighting the rising demand for travel between Nigeria and Jamaica. Keyamo responded by promising prompt action and appointing a committee to expedite the agreement.

“I am delighted to initiate the BASA process immediately. We will move quickly to finalise it, and, if necessary, I will personally travel to Jamaica to sign the agreement,” Keyamo stated.

The action marks a significant advancement toward direct flights between Jamaica and Nigeria, which may increase travel, commerce, and cross-cultural interactions.

The Guardian reported that the deal would improve diplomatic ties between the two nations and create new economic prospects if it were to be executed correctly.

Legit.ng reported that Afrijet Business Service made its first-ever direct flight from Libreville, Gabon, to Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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The airline, owned by the Gabonese government, described the launch as a huge step in its expansion strategy, providing a crucial link between two key energy hubs in Central and West Africa.

The announcement was made in a statement signed by Nyl Moret-Mba, Afrijet’s General Director.

The airline announced it will operate twice weekly flights using an ATR 72-600 aircraft, with eight business-class seats and 54 economy-class seats.

NCAA certifies five new airline operators

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) certified five new airlines, making them legal air operators in Nigeria. This brings the total number of Air Operators' Certificates (AOCs) to 44, including scheduled and non-scheduled operators.

Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed this at the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Lagos.

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Najomo noted that the authority was working to bring more operators on stream with the speedy issuance of permits, licenses and certifications.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng