Nigerian airline approved for direct flights to Barbados

Nigeria, has approved an airline’s proposal to operate direct commercial flights to Barbados. However, the timeline for the launch remains uncertain, according to a regional banking official.

Okechukwu Ihejirika, the acting chief operating officer of the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) CARICOM office in Barbados, stated that Nigerian authorities had given the green light for the airline to depart from either Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, or the capital, Abuja. Approval is still needed from Barbadian authorities, he added.

“All the discussions are ongoing, and we are happy to be playing that facilitation role that will eventually see the realization of this dream very, very soon,” Ihejirika said, though he declined to name the airline.

“It’s a business decision, it’s bilateral discussions that are ongoing, and what I am assured of is the fact that because of the interest from the Barbadian authorities to make this happen – they are also taking it seriously – and with the enthusiasm on the African side in the private sector, who are going to run this dream, I see an announcement being made very, very imminently.

This new route would mark the first direct commercial air link between Nigeria and Barbados. Industry observers and advocates for closer Africa-Caribbean economic and cultural ties have long noted the lack of direct travel options as a barrier to stronger connections between the continent and the African diaspora in the Americas.

In March 2023, David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to CARICOM, mentioned that Nigerian airline Air Peace was discussing twice-weekly flights between Barbados and Lagos. Air Peace also plans to service Antigua & Barbuda as part of its investment in the revived regional airline LIAT.

Though hesitant to predict a launch date, Ihejirika was optimistic an announcement would be made “very, very imminently,” citing enthusiasm from both Barbadian authorities and the private sector. He dismissed concerns that the lack of historical direct travel data between the countries would hinder the route’s success.

“While there may not be historical data to support new entrance in that field – because there’s never been a flight coming in here so we can’t make projections as to the number of passengers that will have interest,” Ihejirika said. “We’re believing that yes, tourism is a good driver of this effort, but apart from tourism, business also will be another compelling component of it.”

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has asserted that political will is the only obstacle preventing the establishment of direct air links between Africa and the Caribbean.

Referencing the massive crowd for Nigerian singer Burna Boy’s performance at a 2022 Crop Over event, she told the inaugural AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF): “Going where no one has gone before is never easy, but you can’t have Burna Boy bring out 20,000 people in Barbados, command what he commands in Nigeria and Africa, our own dear Right Excellent Rihanna the same, and not believe that we can’t open up the appetite of our people to travel to each other’s countries.”

Ihejirika emphasized the potential benefits a new air link could bring for both business and leisure travel between the regions.

“If people find business opportunities they can take advantage of in this region, they will also now see the value in buying tickets to come here,” he said. “So they are coming now for a dual purpose – one, pleasure and the other one could also be business.”