Nigeria and Russia plan to replace their 1967 Bilateral Air Service Agreement, and dem want finish negotiations within six months. Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo say the countries target signing for Saint Petersburg in April 2027.
Keyamo announce the plan after e meet Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, Russia State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport, for Moscow. According to the minister, the two countries don set up negotiating teams to work on the revised agreement.
Nigeria delegation include the head of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, registrar of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and directors from the ministry and NCAA. Dem also discuss possible cooperation outside the agreement, but the announcement no give detailed new programmes.
The age of the old agreement give the talks clear historical meaning. Agreement wey dem sign for 1967 go be 60 years old for 2027. So the review concern the framework for how aviation sectors of the two countries relate, no be just to put new date for airline timetable.
For travellers, the main difference na between agreement wey dem still dey negotiate and service wey person fit book. The announcement no name airline, departure airport, arrival airport, number of flights or ticket price. Person no fit use am yet plan new direct journey between the countries.
April 2027 na the target to finish and sign the agreement, as the minister explain. No be announced date for first flight. This difference matter because diplomatic milestone and airline commercial launch answer different questions for passengers and businesses.
Wetin to watch next na result of negotiations, wetin any signed agreement contain, and separate airline announcements if dem propose services. The news now na clear process to update old aviation arrangement; how e go affect routes and travel choices still need become clear.