TheCable

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says Nigeria and the United States are close to resuming direct flights from Houston.

Tunde Moshood, Keyamo’s special assistant, Media and Communications, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, Keyamo said efforts are in top gear to attract foreign investment into the aviation industry.

“During my visit to Houston, I also took time to visit the fast-developing Aerospace of the city in Ellington,” he said.

“I met Mr. Arturo Machuca, Director of Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport, and his team who did a detailed presentation to us and conducted us around the Aerospace.

“We were well guided on the development of our own Aerospace.

“I spoke with the Mayor of Houston, Texas, and his team to advance talks regarding the resumption of direct flights from Houston to Nigeria.

“Another interesting diplomatic consideration the two envoys looked at is the opening of a Nigerian consulate in Houston.”

In 2016, United Airlines stopped flying to Nigeria from Houston due to issues in the energy sector and unrepatriated funds.

In July 2023, the ministry of aviation said it would collaborate with the United States to commence direct flight operations to Houston, Texas.