Fakoyejo Olalekan
West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has, again, made another history as the first ever Nigerian airline to fly direct, nonstop to Israel. The airline commenced scheduled operations in Tel Aviv on April 20, 2023, from Lagos and Abuja.
At the well-attended inaugural flight ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, said history has been made in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel through the commencement of direct, nonstop flights from Lagos and Abuja to the city of Tel Aviv.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe asserted: “This is undoubtedly a big milestone as, for the first time, a Nigerian airline is connecting both countries directly through scheduled commercial flights”.
Onyema said the airline was delighted particularly because this new route will provide huge respite to Nigerian travellers who, henceforth, do not have to travel to Israel through other countries, spending over 20 hours in stopovers whereas a direct flight is less than 6 hours.
“Our entry into Israel today will open up more layers of opportunities and possibilities socially, and economically, and advance the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Israel. The connectivity will boost ‘religious tourism’, especially factoring the numerous Nigerians who embark on pilgrimage trips to Israel”, the Air Peace Chairman stated.
He stressed that the airline is familiar with Israeli airspace as it operated evacuation flights to the country in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Onyema expressed gratitude to the Israeli government, especially its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other stakeholders whose efforts made this launch possible.
Ambassador Freeman expressed joy over the new connectivity, stressing that it would help deepen bilateral ties between both countries and promote mutually beneficial economic engagements.
Speaking, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi, commended Onyema for his strides in aviation. He added that the growth of Air Peace has shown that a Nigerian can make sustainable global inroads in aviation as Air Peace is solidly representing Nigeria in the international aviation community. He emphasised the socio-economic impact of the new route, especially in ‘religious tourism’.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, represented by Mr Hassan Ejibunu, Director of Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation, reiterated the support of the government to indigenous airlines and promised the government’s continued assistance to Air Peace in its route expansion drive.
The airline now has 5 international destinations, including the recently launched Mumbai, 20 domestic(with Maiduguri launching on April 21, 2023)and 7 regional routes.
