The federal government has disclosed that is in presently holding talks with Cape Verde on the plan to begin air transport relationship in line with existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries.
Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, made the disclosure after a meeting with Cape Verde representatives on the sidelines of a meeting at the just concluded the First ICAO/UNWTO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, held in Sal, Cape Verde.
According to the minister: “We have just concluded a meeting with Cape Verde authority and they have signified interest to start flight operations into Nigeria. Cape Verde is willing to exercise their right in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement and hopefully to seek a Nigeria airline that will reciprocate through flight operation into Cape Verde.”
“They will start operations into Nigeria very soon and we hope that Nigeria airlines will take the opportunity too, as they have already said they are looking forward to a Nigerian airline to partner with.”
Apart from the flight operations, the country is also planning to establish its embassy in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
On his twitter handle ‘@hadisirika’, the minister said: “Cape Verde to open an embassy in Abuja this year and also to commence direct flight”.
Another source who is privy to the meeting said Cape Verde had agreed to fulfil all necessary commitment and go through the process in line with international best practices. He also hinted that ‘Cape Verde was ready to begin the operation with its national carrier, Cabo Verde Airlines and they are looking at this year.’
