Direct Flight to Israel commences soon
Nigeria says it will sign its first Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Israel, which will enable direct flights from designated airlines to both countries.
A statement signed by a media assistant to Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Joe Obi stated that the soon-to-be established partnership was a culmination of rigorous negotiations between the two countries, after previous efforts to enter a BASA partnership with Israel proved abortive.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nigeria and Israel would also enjoy equal rights and privileges.
The agreement, which will be signed this week during Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan’s pilgrimage to Jersusalem, will ease the stress the country’s Christian pilgrims face while travelling to Israel.
Before now, Nigerian pilgrims have had to endure long stopovers in neighbouring countries before being airlifted to the Holy Land.
Nigeria also affirmed that the agreement would reflect the interest of local airlines.
Local airlines in the country have been under intense scrutiny after two plane crashes in the last 24 months.