Lagos — The fast growing Nigerian carrier, Nigerian Eagle Airlines (formerly Virgin Nigeria Airways) has again signed partnership deal with another international airline, Delta Air Lines.

The crux of the code-sharing agreement is a symbiotic relationship between the world's largest airline with domineering international stature and Nigerian Eagle, which has consistently dominated the African West Coast, which has become a target regional market for Delta Airlines.

At the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Lagos on Wednesday, the

Managing Director of Nigeria Eagle Airlines, Captain Dapo Olumide said that the objective of these agreements with major international carriers was to develop the aviation industry through effective partnerships among airlines that can be mutually beneficial to each other, disclosing that the deal would include commercial cooperation that would expand travel options between North America and Nigeria .

Olumide, who addressed newsmen with the Commercial Manager of Delta, East and West Africa, Bobby Bryan, said that Nigeria Eagle's resolve to partner with Delta was strengthened by the airline's commitment to boost the industry in Nigeria .

Olumide noted that the MOU for both organizations is a win-win situation as Delta Airlines needs Nigeria Eagle and vice versa.

He said, "It's a win- win situation for both of us, we need Delta and Delta needs us. For there to be development in this industry, we have to collaborate, we have to work together. Its not about size, its about what we can do for each other, what has Nigeria Eagle got in comparison with Delta. They have 500 aircraft we have seven. When we work together we will be big, strong and I am really happy that this takes place in my time".

The MOU signed by both airlines provides that they discuss marketing agreements that would allow their customers to benefit from the Frequent Flyer programme participation and for Nigeria Eagle to place its code on Delta-operated services between Abuja and New York/JFK via Dakar , Senegal .

Commercial Manager of Delta, East and West Africa , who spoke earlier, said that the airline was delighted on the exploration of the new found relationship stating that it would be beneficial to both airlines and their customers.

"We are delighted to be exploring a closer relationship with Nigeria Eagle Airlines, which will greatly benefit customers in Nigeria . A marketing relationship would provide Delta and Nigeria Eagle Airlines customers with additional traveling opportunities."