Air Peace has commenced flight operations into Makurdi from Lagos and Abuja, with a promise to serve Nigerians optimally.
Speaking at the event to mark Air Peace’s entry into Makurdi, on Monday, at the Makurdi Airport, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema said the launching of the Makurdi route is in fulfilment of their quest to drastically reduce the air travel burden of Nigerians.
Represented by the Manager Ground Operations, Air Peace, Mr. Adeyemi Ayodeji, Mr. Onyema said “For us at Air Peace, this is a historic feat as no airline currently operates commercial flights from Lagos or Abuja into Makurdi. And we have been earnestly looking forward to this moment and we are glad it is finally here.
“The Makurdi route has been on our radar for quite a while now, having signed all the MOU papers with the state government, under the vibrant leadership of Dr. Samuel Ortom, whom we are abundantly grateful to.”
He explained that the decision to extend their wings to Makurdi was borne out of their persisting original vision to interconnect various cities across Nigeria, thereby fostering unity and promoting impactful economic relations.
He said the Makurdi route has been on popular demand by Nigerians and as a socially sensitive and responsive airline, “we are constantly reviewing our route network vis-a-vis public needs while considering strategic ways of expanding it to provide immense value to Nigerians.
“We also pledge to work very harmoniously with all the stakeholders domiciled in the state, the aviation regulator, the airport administrator and, of course, the state government to ensure maximum success.
“We are not oblivious of the employment opportunities that this new route stands to create for the indigenes of the state, as Air Peace was primarily set up to fill unemployment gaps in the country.”
He expressed profound gratitude to Gov. Ortom, under whose leadership the feat has been achieved, and solicited the continued support and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders for the airline to keep accomplishing lofty feats.
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Gov. Ortom who inaugurated the commercial flights from Lagos to Makurdi through Abuja expressed joy that his efforts has paid off.
He, therefore, pledged that he will open up the state for foreign direct investment.
Our correspondent reports that the beginning of commercial flights into Makurdi is a partnership between Benue State Government and Air Peace.
Also at the airport was Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies as well as State Executive Council members.
A passenger who spoke to our correspondent, Mrs. Josephine Habba described the flight resumption as a welcome development and expressed excitement saying it makes traveling very easy.
