Fakoyejo Olalekan
Israel has approved direct flights from Nigeria, with Air Peace, owned by Nigerian businessman, Allen Onyema, commencing the non-stop flights from 20 April 2023.
The approval was announced by Israel’s Transport Minister, Miri Regev, on Sunday, 26 March 2023, who said the aviation deal would link Israel’s city, Tel Aviv to that of Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa understands the aviation deal will make Air Peace Nigeria’s national carrier during the pilgrimage for Christians to the Holy Land.
Prior to the aviation deal between the governments of Nigeria and Israel, flights to the latter often stop at Turkey or Ethiopia for connecting transit to Israel.
With the approval of the direct flights, Air Peace will be able to fly to Israel without passengers disembarking in Turkey or Ethiopia.
Commenting on the additional route to its list of destinations, Onyema, said the immediate frequency to Israel will be two weekly flights.
Onyema, who doubles as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, added that the frequency will increase in the future.
He said Air Peace, which flies to about 30 destinations, is prepared to airlift passengers and cargo during the inaugural and subsequent flights between Nigeria and Israel.
Also, Regev said the aviation agreement will foster business growth between both countries, adding that it “will contribute to strengthening of the business and cultural ties between the nations and between the governments.”
The transport minister also stated that Nigeria “maintains close ties with Israel in a wide variety of fields, alongside heavy traffic of pilgrims coming to Israel to visit the holy places in Christianity.”
Aside from Israel, Air Peace travels to London, India and China, and previously airlifted Nigerians to United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the Arabian country introduced flight restrictions on Nigerians.
The company also flies to seven African countries, which include Ghana, Liberia, Gambia, and Sierra Leone, amongst others.
