The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo and the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mezoued Hosine, have held discussions on the commencement of bilateral air service agreement (BASA).
The minister disclosed this in a release when he and the envoy met at the former’s office in Abuja.
During the meeting, Hosine expressed his country’s keen interest in launching air services connecting Algeria, Abuja, and Douala.
Specifically, he asked Keyamo to intervene and ensure the necessary paperwork is expedited by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to facilitate the start of flight services on April 6, 2024.
Responding, the Keyamo pledged to take steps to ensure a smooth implementation of the agreement and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector.
He said the federal government was committed to improving air travel accessibility and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key aviation hub in Africa.
“This development aligns with our broader vision to enhance Nigeria’s aviation connectivity with key international destinations.
“We will work closely with the relevant agencies, particularly the NCAA, to ensure all required formalities are completed as swiftly as possible.
“This is an opportunity we’ve been waiting for; if we have to go to Cameroon, a neighbouring country that’s less than an hour flight, we have to fly to Togo first, possibly sleep over before coming to our neighbouring Cameroon. This is a welcome development,” the minister added.
The proposed Algeria-Abuja-Douala route is expected to facilitate trade, tourism, and economic cooperation between the two nations and beyond.
