Air Peace, on Monday launched its first flight to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Spokesman for the airline, Mr Stanley Olisa said in a statement that flight P47770 on B737-500 aircraft piloted by Capt. Gerald Nmorka, landed at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan and was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute.
The management of the airline led by the director of flight operations, Capt. Augustin Kamano was received by Ivory Coast’s airport authorities, the Nigerian Embassy officials in Abidjan and the Nigerian community.
The statement quoted Kamano as reiterating the commitment of the airline’s founder and chairman, Mr Allen Onyema, to bridging connectivity gap among West African countries and reducing the air travel burden for Africans.
“Nigeria has a long-standing relationship with Ivory Coast and the launch of flights by Air Peace into Abidjan will deepen commercial cooperation as well as solidify bilateral ties between both countries.
“Since we commenced operations in 2014, we have been on an aggressive but strategic route expansion mission, becoming famed for our no-city-left-behind initiative which goes beyond the West Coast to include international destinations.
“The airline is committed to providing increased connectivity across key cities in the West African sub-region and promoting economic prosperity for Africans. We want to make air travel easier for the collective development of all West African countries,” Kamano said.
Besides, he disclosed that the airline’s 10th regional route, which is Cotonou in Benin Republic, would be launched on January 27, 2024.
Kamano further said passengers could also fly from Abidjan to Dakar, Senegal.
In her remarks, the chargé d’affaires, Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Ms Itam Akpama described the flight launch as “timely” considering the ongoing African Cup of Nations Competition going on Ivory Coast.
“It is an honour to be here. This is a very timely flight considering the AFCON that is ongoing with influx of Nigerians and other travelers in and out of Ivory Coast. You have the full support of the Nigerian Embassy and Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire,” she added.
For his part, the president, Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Michael Onwuchelu commended the Onyema for his initiative to connect the African continent with air transportation.
“This is our own and we must specially support Air Peace. Côte d’Ivoire has been a hospitable country, we are all happy here. We will support our own,” he
