The Government of Guinea-Bissau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU0 with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to establish a national carrier, AIR BISSAU, to boost its aviation industry and reduce its dependence on foreign airlines.
According to the statement by the airline on Sunday, the agreement was signed in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, by Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Dr Florentino Pereira, and the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo.
In the latest agreement between the Nigerian airline and Guinea-Bissau, which was made available to our correspondent, both parties will “explore a comprehensive cooperation framework aimed at establishing a fully operational national airline with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau serving as the operational base and hub for the carrier’s initial routes.”
For decades, Guinea-Bissau has relied largely on regional carriers and charter services to connect its citizens and businesses to other countries.
A key component of the MoU is the creation of a joint venture company that will operate as Guinea-Bissau’s national airline. Under the arrangement, United Nigeria Airlines will provide the majority of the financial investment, operational expertise, aircraft and management for the new carrier.
Extending beyond commercial operations, the Nigerian carrier is expected to “provide and operate an executive jet for the use of the President and Government of Guinea-Bissau.”
To facilitate the project, the government pledged to “facilitate the registration and licensing of the new national carrier in line with domestic laws and streamline authorisation processes through both the Civil Aviation Authority of Guinea-Bissau and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria.”
Guinea-Bissau also agreed to designate AIR BISSAU as its official national carrier, granting it “full rights over all existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement entitlements.”
According to the MoU, the designation would give the airline “significant leverage in securing route rights and authorisations to regional and international destinations,” described as an important commercial and diplomatic asset.
The statement stated that the government is committed to ensuring that Osvaldo Vieira International Airport receives the infrastructure support required for the airline’s operations, including access provisions, ground support services and assistance with customs, immigration and security compliance.
Additionally, Guinea-Bissau pledged to invest in the establishment of the airline and create mechanisms that would protect and incentivise investment through the existing Investment Code and applicable tax frameworks.
As part of efforts to develop local aviation expertise, the United Nigeria Airlines plans to train “qualified Guinean nationals, including pilots, cabin crew, and technical maintenance personnel” and employ local staff wherever feasible in line with government employment policies.
The MoU makes it clear that operational control of the airline will remain with the Nigerian carrier.
“For the purposes of safety, reliability, and efficiency, the overall management, operational control, and general direction of the new airline will rest with the management team of United Nigeria Airlines,” the statement said.
Both parties also agreed to provide full liability and hull insurance coverage for all flight operations, conduct annual independent safety and maintenance audits, and establish asset protection mechanisms for investors.
According to the statement, the agreement which takes immediate effect, will remain valid for 18 months or until a substantive joint venture agreement is concluded.
GIK/APA