Nigeria, Canada Sign Expanded Air Transport Agreement For Direct Flights

Thousands of Nigerians will now fly directly to Canada without layovers across Europe and the United States, following an expanded Air Transport Agreement signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Canada in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, the deal was finalized at the Canadian High Commission by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management, who represented the Minister, alongside Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator, Shendra Melia.

The signing followed a Nigeria – Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review Worksession, where delegations from both nations reached a consensus to replace a 2014 code-share setup with direct flight rights.

The Nigerian delegation featured Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani; Mrs. Jummai Yahaya, Director of Legal Services at the Aviation Ministry; Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Director of Air Transport Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); alongside other senior government officials.

The Canadian delegation was led by Ms. Shendra Melia, alongside Mr. Jathorsan Lingarajan, Trade Policy Officer at Global Affairs Canada, and Mr. Steven Worth, Manager and Senior Policy Advisor at Transport Canada.

Under this upgraded framework, designated Nigerian and Canadian airlines can now operate up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights each way, while also securing Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations to move freight through third countries.

For the over 25,000 Nigerian students holding valid Canadian study permits, as well as business executives, tourists, and families, this agreement opens non-stop travel options, reducing travel time, lowering logistics costs, and establishing direct flights between both nations.