The United States and Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, have initiated the implementation of an ‘open skies’ air transport agreement, nearly 24 years after the provisional application of the bilateral deal commenced.
Following a statement released by the US Embassy on its website over the weekend, the agreement now establishes a contemporary civil aviation relationship with Nigeria. This is in line with the US Open Skies international aviation policy, emphasizing high standards of aviation safety and security. The agreement encompasses provisions for unrestricted capacity and frequency of flights, open route rights, a liberal charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities.
The US-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement is considered a significant advancement in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in Africa. It underscores that the bilateral agreement fortifies the robust economic and commercial partnership between the two nations, fosters people-to-people connections, and generates fresh prospects for airlines, travel firms, and customers. Furthermore, the agreement enables air carriers to deliver more cost-effective, convenient, and efficient air services to travellers and shippers, thereby boosting tourism and commerce.
The objective is to minimize the US government’s intervention while maximizing operational flexibility for airlines, nurturing a competitive and consumer-friendly aviation environment. The US Department of State, responsible for overseeing civil air transportation agreements, indicates that Open Skies agreements have broadened collaborative marketing opportunities.
It emphasizes the relaxation of charter regulations, enhancing overall flexibility for airline operations, all while upholding high safety and security standards. The US-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement, provisionally applied since 2000, officially took effect on May 13, 2024. This bilateral pact establishes a contemporary civil aviation relationship with Nigeria, aligning with the US Open Skies international aviation policy and commitments to elevated aviation safety and security standards.
Provisions within the agreement allow for unlimited capacity and frequency of services, unrestricted route rights, a flexible charter regime, and open code-sharing opportunities. The agreement with Nigeria represents a leap forward in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in Africa, expanding the already strong economic and commercial partnership, fostering people-to-people ties, and creating new avenues for airlines, travel firms, and customers.
Through this agreement, air carriers can offer more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to passengers and shippers, thereby promoting tourism and commerce.
