Nigeria and Venezuela have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic cooperation, with a direct flight from Abuja to Caracas, Venezuela soon.
The two oil producing nations, both members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), pledged to expand collaboration beyond the energy sector as part of efforts to further solidify their historic partnership.
The Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Alberto Castellar Padilla, underscored the strong historical and economic ties between both countries during a visit to Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Monday in Abuja.
A key highlight of the discussions was the announcement of plans by the Venezuelan government to establish direct flights between Caracas and Abuja, aimed at boosting business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Padilla revealed that in 2022, both nations signed an agreement for direct flights from Caracas to Nigeria, and Venezuela is now prepared to operationalise this arrangement.
He further said, “Our government has been working diligently, and we are ready to commence direct flights to either Abuja or Lagos. As we celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations, this initiative is a fitting milestone and this is the best time start operations.”
The ambassador confirmed that Venezuela’s national carrier, CONVIASA, is fully prepared to commence operations pending approval from the Nigerian government.
Special adviser to the minister on Research and Communications, Emameh Gabriel said in response, the Nigeria’s minister, Festus Keyamo, expressed optimism about the proposed direct flight service, noting its potential to ease travel between Africa and South America. He announced the formation of a joint committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to expedite the approval process.
“We are pleased that Venezuela has designated an airline ready for operations, as this is often a critical factor in Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA),” Keyamo remarked.
He added that, “This development is mutually beneficial, as it will reduce travel time and eliminate the current inconvenience of transiting through distant hubs like Dubai or Doha for South American routes.”
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