Nigeria signs air travel agreement with UAE

Nigeria has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the United Arab Emirate (UAE). Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika made this known in a tweet from his twitter handle.

Signed Bilateral Air Service agreement with UAE, 30 minutes ago, in Colombo Sirilanka. May it be of mutual benefit, Ameen!

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika)

He also congratulated Medview Airlines which has commenced direct flights from Lagos to Dubai via Abuja.

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What does a BASA mean ?

BASA (also known as air transport agreement) is a treaty which two nations sign to allow international commercial air transport services between their territories. Bilateral agreements contain provisions such as the routes the airline can fly, the number of flights that can be operate, as well as the number of airlines that can operate such routes.

Why is the signing big news ?

Nigerian airlines will be able to fly directly to Dubai and other parts of the UAE. This will enable them generate foreign exchange and give Nigerians more choices when flying. This also increases competition among the airlines, and prevent a monopoly or duopoly from being formed. Dubai is a major tourist and trade destination for Nigerians. It is believed that the UAE is a gateway for most Nigerian professionals and artisans seeking employments in the gulf.

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, and was established on 2 December 1971. The constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.