Expanded aviation agreement allows scheduled passenger and cargo services for the first time, promising faster travel, stronger trade, and closer ties between both countries…..
Nigeria and Canada have signed a landmark expanded air transport agreement that will pave the way for direct scheduled flights between the two countries, ending years of reliance on connecting routes.
The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Shendra Melia, Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs.
Tijjani signed the agreement on behalf of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
According to a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, the new deal followed a technical review of the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) by aviation officials from both countries.
One of the major features of the revised agreement is that both Nigeria and Canada can now designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled passenger services between the two countries.
The agreement also provides for up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for designated airlines from each country.
In addition, both nations agreed to grant Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for cargo operations. This allows designated cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the flight either begins or ends in the airline’s home country.
The Ministry of Aviation said the expanded framework is expected to significantly improve air connectivity between Nigeria and Canada by enabling direct flights, reducing travel time, improving passenger convenience, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening trade and people-to-people relations.
Beyond aviation, the government believes the agreement will create new opportunities for business, tourism, education, investment, and family reunification between both countries.
Moshood noted that the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share arrangement before it was formally signed in March 2025.
He added that the latest deal marks the first major expansion of the bilateral aviation agreement in more than a decade.
The development comes just days after the Ministry of Aviation announced the resumption of negotiations with Canadian authorities aimed at resolving outstanding issues that had delayed the launch of direct air services between the two countries.
