Nigeria, Canada Sign New Aviation Pact To Enable Direct Flights

ABUJA — Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded Air Transport Agreement that will, for the first time, allow direct scheduled flight operations between both countries, marking a major milestone in bilateral aviation relations.

The agreement was signed in Abuja on Thursday by the Director of Air Transport Management at Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, who represented the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs, Shendra Melia.

According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the agreement followed a technical review of the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) by aviation officials from both countries.

Under the expanded framework, Nigeria and Canada can now designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services between the two nations. 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, the pact grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, enabling cargo carriers to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service originates or terminates in the airline’s home country.

The Federal Government said the agreement is expected to significantly improve air connectivity by paving the way for direct flights, reducing travel time, enhancing passenger convenience, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening commercial, cultural and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Canada.

The ministry added that the expanded aviation framework would also support educational exchanges, business travel, tourism, investment opportunities and family reunification.

Moshood explained that the Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and was formally signed in March 2025. He noted that the latest deal represents the first major expansion of the bilateral aviation framework in more than a decade.

The signing follows recent talks between both countries aimed at resolving outstanding issues delaying the commencement of direct air services. The new agreement is expected to accelerate the launch of direct flight operations between Nigeria and Canada.