Israel says 1st direct flight from Nigeria on April 20

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel said Sunday that the first direct flight from Nigeria will arrive on April 20.

"Nigeria's national air carrier Air Peace is ready to operate direct flights to Israel for the first time, starting April 20,” the Israeli Transport Ministry said in a statement.

Israel and Nigeria have maintained diplomatic relations since the 1960s. However, Abuja severed ties with Tel Aviv after the 1973 Middle East War.

The two countries resumed their relations 1992.

Early Sunday, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev approved an aviation agreement that allows direct flights between Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and many destinations in Nigeria, including the cities of Abuja and Lagos.

“Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa that has close relations with Israel in various fields,” Regev said.

"I welcome the opening of the new line, and I am sure that it will contribute to strengthening the commercial and cultural relations between the two peoples and the two governments,” the minister said.

* Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report