According to reports, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the State of Israel have finally reached an agreement to sign maiden Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). The agreement, which is expected to enable direct flights from designated airlines to both countries, would be signed in Israel this week by President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Aviation Minister (Media), Joe Obi in Abuja the federal government had attempted in 2005 and 2012 respectively to go into the partnership but was fruitless.
He stated that the partnership became imperative to ease the stress of travelling to Israel, especially by Nigerian Christian pilgrims.
The statement reads: "Another milestone is being recorded in the Aviation sector as President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda paves way for the signing of the first-ever BASA between the Nigeria and Israel. Previous attempts to sign BASA in 2005 and 2012 were unsuccessful.
"The agreement, which is expected to be signed this week during President Jonathan's pilgrimage to the holy land, is a culmination of months of rigorous negotiations between the two countries."
The statement attributed the move to the nation's international safety standard as provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as improvement on infrastructure in the aviation sector within the last two years.
It reads further: "The Agreement will pave way for direct flights between both territories on the Principle of Reciprocity by the designated airlines of both countries. Before now Nigerians traveling to Israel, including Christian pilgrims have had to endure the long-winding stop-overs in neighboring countries before being finally airlifted to the holy land.
"The agreement also adequately addresses the question of imbalance in the BASA between Nigeria and other contracting countries.
"Under the Terms of this Agreement, Nigeria and the State of Israel will enjoy equal rights and privileges in the implementation of the BASA."
However, the federal government assured the agreement would reflect interest of local airlines unlike previous agreement.
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