From Afrobeat to Soca: A Direct Link Just Made Carnival Global!

In a landmark move that signals a new era of air connectivity between West Africa and the Caribbean, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his counterpart, the Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan today signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The signing agreement was contained in a Press Statement via the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood.

The historic signing ceremony took place at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago, marking the official commencement of direct air links between the two nations.

This milestone agreement is the culmination of diplomatic and technical conversations that began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Years of strategic dialogue and mutual interest have finally been brought to fruition through the proactive efforts of Minister Keyamo and his team.The agreement grants designated airlines from both countries the rights to operate passenger and cargo flights, establish commercial agreements, and access each other’s territory under agreed terms. This is expected to significantly strengthen economic and people-to-people ties.

Rohan Sinanan, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Works and Transport, expressed strong optimism about the potential of the agreement to boost cooperation and expand aviation opportunities for Caribbean and African carriers.
The BASA agreement is expected to promote Nigeria’s growing list of strategic international aviation agreements and reinforce President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to improving air connectivity, promoting regional integration, and strengthening diplomatic relations through aviation diplomacy.

The Minister was accompanied by top officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Sources: thisdaylive.com, businessday.ng, newsday.co.tt