Nigeria-US Transport Agreement Takes Off To Strengthen Air Travel
The Nigerian Aviation sector gained further ground during the week as the country’s Open Skies Air Transport agreement with the United States entered into force on Monday (today).
Recalls that the Office of the Press Secretary of the White House had in a statement issued on August 26, 2000 said the agreement was signed by the US Secretary of Transportation, Rodney Slater and Nigerian former Minister of Transportation, Kema Chikwe.
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 statement issued on Thursday, the spokesperson of the US Department of States, Mathew Miller, said 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 liberalizing 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.