Air travel boost as Nigeria-US transport agreement takes off

The Nigerian Aviation sector gained further ground over the week as the country’s Open Skies Air Transport agreement with the United States entered into force on Monday.

According to a statement released by the White House Office of the Press Secretary on August 26, 2000, the agreement was signed by former Nigerian Minister of Transportation Kimi Chickwe and US Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater.

The statement had said the agreement would permit unrestricted international air service by airlines of the two countries between any cities in one country with any city in the other.

It added that the agreement maximised potential competition, encouraged price flexibility for passengers and shippers, and encouraged improved and expanded service to existing and new markets.

However in a stetement obtained on Thursday, Mathew Miller, the spokesperson of the US Department of States, stated that the agreement has taken its full shape and has established a modern civil aviation relationship between Nigeria and the US.

“The U.S.-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement, which has been provisionally applied since 2000, entered into force on May 13, 2024. This bilateral agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship with Nigeria consistent with U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy and with commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security,” the statement read.

It said, “The agreement includes provisions that allow for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities.

“This agreement with Nigeria is a step forward in liberalising the international civil aviation sector in Africa and further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.”