Air Peace Begins Two Weekly Direct Flights to Israel
Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, has started to fly direct, nonstop to Israel as part of its expansion programme in the international routes.
The airline commenced scheduled operations into Tel Aviv on April 20, 2023, from Lagos and Abuja.
Speaking at the 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.
“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.
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 commended the Israeli government, especially its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other stakeholders whose efforts made this launch possible.
Ambassador Freeman expressed delight over the new connectivity, adding that it would help deepen bilateral ties between both countries and promote mutually beneficial economic engagements.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi, lauded Onyema for his giant strides in aviation.
Umahi stated further 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.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, highlighted 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, reassured of the support of the government to indigenous airlines and pledged government’s continued assistance to Air Peace in its route expansion drive.
