Nigeria, Canada sign expanded air transport deal for direct flights

Nigeria and Canada have finalized an expanded Air Transport Agreement, allowing direct scheduled flights between the two nations for the first time. This landmark deal, signed on Thursday at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, is expected to bolster trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people connections. The agreement, which follows extensive technical reviews of the existing bilateral framework, permits multiple airlines to operate flights and grants cargo airlines the ability to transport goods between foreign countries, with origin or terminus in the airline's home country.

The move comes amid the Nigerian government's efforts to expand international aviation partnerships and improve air connectivity. With over 25,000 Nigerians holding Canadian study permits, the enhanced aviation framework is particularly significant for educational exchanges, tourism, business travel, investment, and family reunification.