Venezuela ready to commence direct flights to Nigeria, says envoy

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Venezuelan government has expressed readiness to commence direct flight operations to Nigeria through its national carrier, CONVIASA Airlines.

Alberto Castellar Padilla, Venezuelan envoy to Nigeria, spoke on Monday during a working visit to Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, in Abuja.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tunde Moshood, the minister’s special adviser on media and communications, said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral aviation ties between both nations.

“During the meeting, the two envoys discussed the strategic initiative by the Venezuelan government to establish direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Venezuela,” the statement reads.

During the meeting, Padilla was said to have appealed for the cooperation and support of the Nigerian government to ensure a smooth and timely start to the service.

“Venezuela’s national carrier, CONVIASA Airlines, is fully prepared and equipped to commence direct flight operations to Nigeria without delay,” the envoy was quoted as saying.

According to the statement, Keyamo described the move as a significant milestone in deepening Nigeria’s aviation and diplomatic relations with the South American region.

He stressed the economic and cultural importance of the direct link, noting that it would enhance trade, tourism, and people-to-people interactions between both countries.

“This is a historic move that aligns with our agenda to open up Nigeria’s airspace to more international routes and foster greater global connectivity,” Keyamo said.

“We welcome CONVIASA Airlines and look forward to a successful partnership that will benefit the people of both nations.”

To fast-track the realisation of the goal, Moshood said the minister constituted a joint technical committee comprising officials from the ministry of aviation and aerospace development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The media aide said the committee is tasked with coordinating all necessary approvals and ensuring a seamless entry process for CONVIASA Airlines.

He said the meeting concluded with a mutual expression of commitment to work closely together to ensure the commencement of flight operations “in the shortest possible time.”