The joy of Benue State people knew no bounds on Monday as Air Peace started scheduled commercial flights into Makurdi, the State capital.
In line with its route expansion drive, Air Peace is the only airline operating Lagos-Makurdi flights at the moment.
To show the excitement from the state government and indigenes of the state, the state governor, Mr Samuel Ortom led other prominent indigenes of the state to the airport to receive the inaugural flight which originated from Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos by 7:00 a.m enroute Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja to Makurdi.
The inaugural flight P47440 arrived Makurdi Airport at 9:15am to a ceremonial water salute by officials of the Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) unit of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Also on ground to receive the inaugural flight was a former governor of the state and Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume and the Airport Manager, Mrs. Comfort Ogbuagwu.
The airline would operate three weekly flights; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, connecting passengers from Lagos via Abuja to Makurdi.
Speaking at the occassion of the inaugural flight, in Markurdi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema described the flight as “a historic feat as no airline currently operates flights from Lagos and Abuja to Makurdi.
Onyema who was represented by the Ground Operations Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Ayodeji Adeyem, said the decision to operate to Makurdi was, “borne out of our persisting original vision to interconnect various cities across Nigeria, thereby fostering unity and promoting impactful economic relations.”
The Makurdi route, according to him, has been on popular demand by Nigerians, stressing that, “as a socially sensitive and responsive airline, we’re constantly reviewing our route network vis-à-vis public needs while considering strategic ways of expanding it to provide immense value to Nigerians.”
Air Peace promised that the new route “will be optimally serviced, and Nigerians will benefit exceedingly.”
He further stated that the newly launched route would crystallize in employment opportunities for the indigenes of the Benue state as the airline was primarily set up “to fill unemployment gaps in the country”.
He also solicited the continued support and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders for the airline to keep accomplishing the lofty feats.
In his address at the occasion, Governor Ortom commended the airline’s management for the opportunity to have scheduled commercial air transport to Benue State, saying the development would boost the state’s economy.
Ortom added that having a commercial flight to the state would open it up for foreign direct investment (FDI) as the fear of travelling to the state by road has been completely removed.
“I particularly thank the Air Peace Chairman for accepting this partnership and we are hopeful this would be fruitful. It will also ease the travel burden of our people,” he said.
Also, another prominent indigene of the state, who was onboard the return flight to Abuja, Senator George Akume noted that there had been several unsuccessful attempts in the past to ensure regular flights into Makurdi.
This is historic and very proud of the entire family of air peace for this opportunity to Benue State. We hope their coming will bring & open more business opportunities in the state Congratulations to Our people.