The United States has officially unveiled an Air Transport Agreement with Nigeria, aiming to establish a modern civil aviation relationship between the two countries.
The announcement was made by the Public Diplomacy Department of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Friday.
According to the mission, the agreement has been provisionally applied since 2000 and aligns with the U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy.
“This agreement with Nigeria is a significant step forward in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in Africa.
“It further strengthens our robust economic and commercial partnership, enhances people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.
”The bilateral agreement includes provisions for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities.
”These measures are expected to facilitate more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services for travellers and shippers, thereby boosting tourism and commerce.” the mission said.
The mission recalled that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell had met with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, in April.
“On May 14, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Washington,” stated Department of State Spokesman Matthew Miller.
“Following their engagement during a successful U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission in Abuja last month, they made progress toward implementing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities,” he stated.
He added that during his visit to Nigeria, Campbell co-chaired the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Tuggar.
”He also engaged in discussions with senior government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives on partnerships, shared prosperity, democracy, governance, and accountability,” he noted.