The first ever large-scale commercial charter flight has landed directly to Africa’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria on March 22. The historic flight has departed from the Caribbean Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts on March 21.
The Flights had 100 passengers including high-level delegation such as government officials, prominent business leaders and cultural icons representing eight Caribbean nations. Aquarian Consult Limited has organized the initiative.
According to officials, the introduced flight highlight economic empowerment through direct connectivity, often referred to as “Reverse Middle Passage”. The new flight has eliminated the traditional lengthy layovers in North America or Europe. Due to this flight OECS has been able to have direct links to the African continent.
The flight also helps in officials kickoff the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS) which is organized by the Aquarian consult. The Summit is scheduled to take place on March 23 to 28 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Notably, it will strengthen the diplomatic ties, and regional economic specially between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OCES).
It has even established a primary corridor for future trade and cooperation in between the ECOWAS and OCES. The flight has reduced the travel time span from 30 hours to a direct transatlantic route and reflects direct links between the Caribbean and Africa has potential of commercial viability.
The Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit will have high- level bilateral discussion focused on blue economy initiatives, agricultural innovation, investment opportunities, and agricultural innovation which could transform regional relations in future.
The Managing Director Of Aquarian Consult Aisha Maina, mentioned the importance of the flight she said now we are now flying over the once imagined dream of connection. Moreover she stated the flight was carrying the future of Afri-Caribbean tourism, trade and shared prosperity and it was a victory for the entire Global Africa family and for the OECS.
