Efforts underway for flights between Nigeria and Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Work is currently underway to establish direct flights between Nigeria and Jamaica, as soon as possible.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, officials from the two countries are working to conclude a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to set up flights from Lagos, Nigeria to Kingston, Jamaica.

The report states that Professor Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s Minister of State I for Foreign Affairs said the agreement would be concluded at the forthcoming third session of the Nigeria-Jamaica Joint Commission.

The minister explained to the Nigerian Tribune over the weekend (July 5 – 6) that it is believed that a direct flight from Nigeria to Jamaica would connect the Caribbean region to Africa and unbundle the existing opportunities on both sides. This is in view of the almost zero trade and investment statistics existing between the two countries, she said.

She added that when implemented, travelling from Nigeria to Jamaica, which currently takes about 17 hours irrespective of the route taken, would only take about eight hours if direct from Lagos/Abuja to Kingston.