Nigeria, Canada resume direct flight talks August 6

Nigeria and Canada will resume negotiations on establishing direct flight operations on August 6 as both countries seek to resolve outstanding issues delaying the launch of air services between them.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving Canada’s Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, David Sproule, and other Canadian officials in Abuja.

According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the meeting focused on expanding bilateral air services and finalising the framework for direct flights between the two countries.

Sproule said a high-level Canadian delegation would arrive in Nigeria in the first week of August to continue discussions on the proposed air services agreement and related issues.

He also proposed the inclusion of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline the processing and removal of Nigerian nationals who are not legally entitled to remain in Canada.

The envoy said the SOP would strengthen cooperation on immigration matters and address one of the major issues delaying the commencement of direct flights.

Responding, Keyamo welcomed the progress in the negotiations, saying demand for direct flights between Nigeria and Canada has remained strong over the years.

He noted that thousands of Nigerians travelling to Canada every week are currently forced to transit through Europe or the United States because there is no direct air connection.

“The aviation component is one aspect of the discussions, while the immigration-related issues require the involvement of other relevant ministries,” Keyamo said.