A Nigerian airline is making history for the first time as it tests direct roundtrip commercial flights in December and January from Lagos, Nigeria to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Outgoing Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Janet Olisa, said the initiative was a collaboration between herself and Jamaican counterpart in Abuja, Esmond Reid.
Olisa said, “I must give credit to the Jamaican High Commissioner in Abuja. He has been able to convince the Nigerian airline to make that happen. I would like to see more Jamaicans visit Nigeria. Come and see where the ancestors came from. We (Nigerians) are coming so they should come. I think we need more tourists from Jamaica to Nigeria and I am inviting Jamaicans to come.”
She is also hopeful that direct flights will help to boost trade between the countries and regrets not fostering greater commercial relations.
“When we look at the logistics and look at how expensive it is to even fly down, what’s the bottom line for them (businesses). I understand and I appreciate. I wasn’t able to get the business community to buy into business in Nigeria. I know there are informal trading going on, but not so recorded.
Olisa wants the next Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica will continue the push for better trade relations between the two countries.
She is hopeful that this is the first step in air transport agreements between the two countries. First passengers, then cargo, and then goods and services.
– NYC Aribnews