The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and his counterpart, Minister of Works and Transport, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Rohan Sinanan, Monday signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries.
The signing that took place at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago, marked the official commencement of direct air links between both nations.
This milestone agreement was the culmination of diplomatic and technical conversations that began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking, Keyamo noted that the BASA agreement not only fulfilled a long-standing bilateral vision initiated during President Obasanjo’s time, but also represented Nigeria’s commitment to expanding her global aviation footprint.
The minister in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Tunde Moshood, added that the agreement would enhance trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and connectivity between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.
He noted: “This BASA adds to Nigeria’s growing list of strategic international aviation agreements and reinforces the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving air connectivity, promoting regional integration, and strengthening diplomatic relations through aviation diplomacy.”
The agreement grants designated airlines from both countries the rights to operate passenger and cargo flights, establish commercial agreements, and access the other’s territory under agreed terms.
The agreement would also strengthen economic and people-to-people ties.
Also, Sinanan, expressed strong optimism about the potential of the agreement to boost cooperation and expand aviation opportunities for Caribbean and African carriers.
