Keyamo Orders Speedy Completions Of Nigeria-Belgium Air Agreement

The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the immediate conclusion of the long-awaited Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Belgium, with a directive that the pact be signed before the outgoing Belgian Ambassador, Pieter Leenknegt, leaves Nigeria on August 5.

The minister issued the directive in Abuja while receiving Leenknegt on a farewell visit, describing the absence of direct flights between Nigeria and Belgium as surprising considering the strong commercial ties and passenger traffic potential between both countries.

Keyamo directed the ministry’s Director of Air Transport Management to urgently brief him on the status of the negotiations and accelerate all outstanding administrative processes to ensure the agreement is concluded within the next two weeks.

He said, “It is surprising that with the size of Nigeria, our population and the volume of business between both countries, we still do not have direct flights to Brussels. We need to fast-track this process.”

He noted that Brussels is not only a key European destination but also a major aviation hub connecting passengers to several cities across Europe, making the agreement strategically important for Nigeria’s aviation sector.

During the meeting, Leenknegt recalled that discussions on the BASA began earlier this year and identified the European Union ownership clause as one of the key issues delaying the agreement.

He explained that Belgium no longer has a national airline with a Belgian majority shareholder, making it necessary for the agreement to reflect the realities of the EU aviation framework while remaining mutually beneficial.

The ambassador also said officials of the ministry had previously indicated that the BASA process might be concluded by October but appealed for an earlier timeline.

According to him, establishing direct flights between Lagos or Abuja and Brussels would significantly boost trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between both countries.

He observed that many Nigerian travellers currently transit through neighbouring countries such as Cotonou before connecting to Brussels, despite Nigeria’s vast passenger market.

Describing the proposed BASA as “low-hanging fruit,” Leenknegt said concluding the agreement before the end of his diplomatic assignment would be a fitting capstone to his tenure in Nigeria.