Ime Akpan
Air Peace said on Tuesday that it had not shelved the plan to originate its flights to Sharjah and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, contrary to reports that it would do so from the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The airline’s spokesman, Mr. Chris Iwarah said in a statement that the Lagos Airport “is strategic to the launch of its international flight operations.”
“Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media claiming we planned to operate our flights to Sharjah and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“We wish to state that there is no truth in the reports and we urge members of the flying public to discountenance the claims.
“Our plan to operate our Sharjah and Dubai services from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos remains unchanged.
“Our strategic plan is to commence our international flight operations from Lagos, with Sharjah and Dubai preceding other routes.
“As we have variously promised, we will eventually expand our international operations to cover other cities and regions of Nigeria and even the West Coast of Africa.
“The goal ultimately is to leverage our broad domestic and regional route network in offering the flying public a reliable alternative. This will be clearer as our long-haul route network unfurls.
“But we envisage that the base of our international operations will remain the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, while mini-hubs will be created in the North, East and South of Nigeria and West Africa.
“This, no doubt, will ensure we not only fully realise our vision to create seamless flight connectivity and positively impact the economies of our areas of operations, but also offer the flying public a whole new exceptional experience,” he said.
