The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed officials to expedite the conclusion of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Belgium, insisting that the deal be signed before the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, concludes his diplomatic assignment on August 5.
Keyamo gave the directive in Abuja while receiving the ambassador on a farewell visit, describing the absence of direct flights between Nigeria and Belgium as unexpected given the strong trade relations, growing passenger demand, and economic ties between both nations.
He instructed the Ministry’s Director of Air Transport Management to immediately brief him on the current status of the negotiations and ensure that all outstanding administrative processes are completed within the next two weeks.
“It is surprising that with the size of Nigeria, our population and the volume of business between both countries, we still do not have direct flights to Brussels. We need to fast-track this process,” the minister said.
Keyamo noted that Brussels serves as one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, offering seamless connections to numerous destinations across the continent, making the agreement strategically important for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Leenknegt said negotiations on the BASA began earlier this year but have been delayed by issues surrounding the European Union’s airline ownership regulations. He explained that Belgium no longer has a national airline with a Belgian majority shareholder, making it necessary for the agreement to align with the EU’s aviation framework while protecting the interests of both countries.
The ambassador noted that ministry officials had previously projected October as the likely timeline for concluding the agreement but appealed for an earlier completion.
According to him, direct flights between Lagos or Abuja and Brussels would strengthen trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and Belgium. He also pointed out that many Nigerian travellers currently transit through neighbouring countries, including Cotonou, before connecting to Brussels despite Nigeria’s significant passenger market.
Describing the BASA as a “low-hanging fruit,” Leenknegt expressed hope that the agreement would be concluded before the end of his tenure, saying it would serve as a fitting milestone in his diplomatic service in Nigeria.
