By  Kenneth Ehigiator

The Federal Government plans to review Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreements, BASAs, with countries with which the country has such a deal.

BASA, founded on the principle of reciprocity, is a deal that enables a country’s airlines to enjoy equal leverage, in terms of flight operations, in countries with which their home country has an air agreement.

Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, who disclosed this when President and Chairman of US Ex-Im Bank, Mr Fred Hochberg and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Abuja, said the review would enable Nigerian carriers to benefit from the BASA deals.

Her position came against the backdrop of the fact that the Federal Government only enjoys royalty from mainly Western countries which airlines dominate the country’s aviation scene at the expense of the local carriers, a benefit far lower than what Nigeria would have gained, if airlines in the country were reciprocating.

She also disclosed plans by the Federal Government to collaborate with erstwhile U.S. National carrier, Pan Am, to assist the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, to enable the institution develop the capacity of technical staff in the aviation sector.

Princess Oduah, who noted the importance of aviation in transforming the nation’s economy, said government was not satisfied with the fact that NCAT had a capacity to train just 250 students, adding that this was against government’s projection of 1,500.

The Minister said the Federal Government would enter into a strategic relationship with the US Ex-Im Bank, with a view to assisting airlines in the country to acquire better and newer fleet of aircraft to ensure safety of the airspace and passengers.