Nigeria will be signing a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with the State of Israel tomorrow, 23rd October, to enable airlines from both countries fly directly to each other’s territory without stop-overs in other destinations.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister, Joe Obi, the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah who left Abuja FCT, this morning to the State of Israel for the event will stand in for Nigeria.
According to the Minister of Aviation, the agreement signing is the culmination of twelve months of negotiations between officials of the Department of Transportation of the State of Israel and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The agreement will pave way for direct flights into the two countries by designated airlines from both countries based on the Principles of Reciprocity. Before now, Nigerians travelling to Israel, including Christian Pilgrims have had to endure the long winding stop-overs in neighbouring countries before being airlifted to the Holy Land.
The Agreement also adequately addresses the question of imbalance in the BASA between Nigeria and other contracting countries. Under the terms of this Agreement, Nigeria and the State of Israel will enjoy equal rights and privileges in the implementation of the BASA.
The State of Israel will join three other countries in the Middle East that have air services agreement with Nigeria.