The United States has announced the unveiling of an Air Transport Agreement with Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the aviation sector between the two countries.
According to the Public Diplomacy Department of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, the agreement, which had provisionally been applied since 2000, establishes a modern civil aviation relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
Stating that the agreement is consistent with the U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy, the mission emphasized commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security.
“This agreement with Nigeria is a step forward in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in Africa. It further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers,” stated the department.
Key provisions of the agreement include allowing for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities. This allows air carriers to provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, promoting tourism and commerce between the two nations.
The announcement comes following a meeting between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, where both reiterated their commitment to a vibrant partnership aimed at building a prosperous future for both nations.
“On May 14, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Washington. Building on their discussions during a successful U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission (BNC) in Abuja last month, the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister advanced mutual economic, governance, and security priorities,” stated Department of State Spokesman, Matthew Miller.
During his visit to Nigeria, Campbell co-chaired the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Tuggar, engaging in discussions with senior government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives on partnerships, shared prosperity, democracy, governance, accountability, and movement of people, among other topics.
The agreement signifies a deeper commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing bilateral ties, and facilitating smoother air travel between the United States and Nigeria.
