Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, and the United State have begun the implementation of an ‘open skies’ air transport agreement, about 24 years after the bilateral deal first commenced provisional application.
A statement by the US Embassy on its website at the weekend stated that the agreement now establishes a modern civil aviation relationship with Nigeria.
According to the release, this is consistent with the US Open Skies international aviation policy and upholds high standards of aviation safety and security. It stressed that the agreement includes provisions for unrestricted capacity and frequency of flights, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities.
According to the statement, the US-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement marked a significant step forward in liberalising the international civil aviation sector in Africa. It noted that the bilateral agreement strengthens the strong economic and commercial partnership between both countries, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers. Besides, it explained that with the US-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement, air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, thereby promoting tourism and commerce. The move, it said, aims to minimise the US government’s interference and maximise operational flexibility for airlines, fostering a competitive and consumer-friendly aviation environment.
