Nigeria and Egypt Enhance BASA with 5th Freedom Rights

Nigeria and Egypt have deepened aviation ties with enhanced Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which, among other things, now includes full 5th Freedom Traffic Rights between the two countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both nations was signed earlier today in Abuja by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdellatty.

This agreement, conceived during the International Civil Aviation Negotiations (1CAN) in 2024, represents a strategic milestone in bilateral cooperation, focusing on technical exchange, route expansion, and investment in aviation infrastructure. It aligns with the shared vision of fostering a more connected, integrated, and resilient African airspace.

In parallel, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a compliant Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), with updated terms including:

• Multiple airline designations

• Entry points: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and additional destinations to be designated

• Flight frequencies: 7x weekly to Lagos and 5x weekly to Kano

• Designation of intermediate and beyond points (to be agreed)

• Full 5th Freedom Traffic Rights

• New code-share arrangements in line with the AFCAC BASA template

These developments signal a renewed commitment to enhancing air connectivity, promoting trade, and boosting tourism between the two countries.