The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase the number of flights between the two countries, Fortune reported.

The MoU which was signed on November 6, 2013, outlines an increase of weekly flights from Ethiopia to Nigeria, from the current 18 to 31.

In addition, Ethiopian Airlines – which serves 76 international destinations, including 45 in Africa – will be permitted to fly into the city of Kano, with a frequency of seven passenger flights and three cargo flights a week. Currently, Ethiopian serves Abuja, Lagos, and Enugu.

The MoU has been in the making since 2011, according to Gebregziabher Hailu, public relations officer at the ECAA.

“Previously, we would sit far into the night ironing out the details of the deal and leave thinking we would surely sign it in the morning,” he said. “But when we came back the next day, there would be a new thing to renegotiate and the whole process would start again.”

The MoU also states that, one Nigerian airline would be allowed to fly the same amount of flights to Ethiopia, as Ethipian makes to Nigeria. It can also make flights to other Ethiopian cities in addition to Addis Abeba, according to Wesenyeleh.

Source: Fortune