Mr Hocine Mezoued, the Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, says the flag-off of the Algires-Abuja flight by Air Algerie, is part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria.
Mezoued said this on Sunday in Abuja, during the inauguration of the Algires-Abuja route by the Algerian national flag carrier.
The envoy said that, Algeria was doing its best to contribute to improve the Intra-African connectivity through its national flag carrier, which has a fleet of 55 aircraft.
“Our compatriots were often forced to travel thousands of kilometers outside the continent to find a connecting flight to Abuja. This new direct flight will open a myriad of economic opportunities for both destinations.
“The business communities and companies will no longer have any reason not to come to Nigeria or Algeria to do business and also to invest.
“This opens also the way to strengthen exchanges in the fields of tourism and culture. It will certainly give impetus to human and inter-university exchanges between our two countries,” he said.
The envoy said that further goals would be achieved in the coming months, on the way to consolidating bilateral relations between both countries.
He described the inauguration of the flight as part of the efforts made by both countries to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the human mobility and the economic fields.
Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that the development marked a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria.
Keyamo was represented by Dr Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
He said that air travel played a vital role in economic development, adding that the introduction of the new Algiers-Abuja route represents a crucial step towards deeper bilateral relations.
The minister said that it would highlight both countries’ commitment to working collaboratively to unlock the socio-economic potentials within their respective borders.
He, therefore, urged Air Algerie to treat Nigerian passengers with dignity and respect as its flight commences operations.
He said that the commencement of the flight operation would bring both countries closer while strengthenning bilateral relations.
Ms Hosnia Kaouah, Head of Commercial Division for Air Algerie, said that the inauguration of the Algiers-Abuja Flight perfectly illustrated the ambition to further connect Africa with itself and the rest of the world.
Kaouah said that the potential African market was estimated at 200,000 annual passengers.
According to her, it represents a significant opportunity to rank Algiers Airport as a competitive transit hub between West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
“The inauguration is also part of a broader dynamic, supporting the programme initiated by African Airline Association (AFRAA) which aims to develop cooperation with other African airlines to improve connectivity between their flights.
“Air Algerie’s new direct flight route connecting Algiers to Abuja will kick-start with two weekly flights in the first phase. The flight will empower the link of our great nations,” she said. .
Freedomonline reports that Air Algerie was established in 1962. It is a public economic joint stock company operating in a mix of African, European and selected Asian and American routes.
The inaugural flight was witnessed by the Minister of Budget, Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Cuban Ambassador, Ms Miriam Palmero with other diplomats, and representatives of aviation agencies.
