*Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, announces that Air Peace Airlines, a private aviation firm, will be flying the inaugural flight directly from Lagos to India March 31, 2023

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As part of implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to deepen relations between the two countries, Mr. Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, has said the much anticipated direct flights from Nigeria to India will to commence March 31, 2023.

Balasubramanian, who disclosed this development in Abuja, FCT, said that Air Peace, a Nigerian private airline had concluded plans for the inaugural flight from Lagos to Mumbai, Bombay, in India, agency report said.

The envoy stated: “I can announce to you that that Air Peace will be flying directly from Lagos to India on March 31st for the inaugural flight.

“This is part of the implementation of the

Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) aimed at deepening relations between both countries, so I have been invited for the inauguration.”

The Indian High Commissioner also explained the inaugural direct flight would further strengthen economic, trade, bilateral relations, and people-to-people ties between both strategic countries.

He stated: “The volume of trade between both countries as at 2022 is 14.95 billion dollars, so we believe agreements such as this will go a long way in boosting our relations.”

Balasubramanian further expressed optimism that the new aviation route would increase the volume of trade between both countries, while opening new vista of opportunities for citizens of both countries.

It is recalled that Nigeria and the Republic of India, in 2019, signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), to deepen flight operations end to end.

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, then expressed optimism that the agreement would further deepen cooperation between both countries.

BASA covers the basic framework under which airlines are granted bilateral rights to fly two countries.

The frequency, designated airlines of the signatories, origin, intermediate points as well as traffic rights, type of aircraft and tax issues are normally covered by Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), according to report.

The new Nigeria-India route is expected to further boost relations between both countries, as over 135 indian companies currently operate in Nigeria.

India is becoming the prime destination for Nigerians seeking medical tourism, studies, businesses among others, report said.