The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has described as a “welcome development” the decision of the management of Air Peace to extend flights to Kano.
Speaking today after in Kano after the airline’s day, after the airline’s inaugural Lagos to Kano flight landed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport said Kano is the nerve of economic activities of the northern Nigeria.
The Emir, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Sambo, the Jakanda Hausa (Hausa Ambassador), declared: “Today is a historic day. The people of Kano are very happy because this airline has started operating from Lagos to Kano and Abuja to Kano.
“Kano is the economic centre of the whole northern region, and aviation is very key to attracting investment.
“So, it will boost the economy of Kano State because our people now have more options in terms of air travel, and increase competition among the airlines,” he said.
He charged the airline Air Peace to sustain its policy of on-time departure and expressed optimism that the airline’s services would be patronised by the people.
In his remarks, the regional manager of MAKIA, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said the airport authorities would give the airline the support needed for a seamless operation in Kano.
He therefore advised the airline to make its fares affordable to encourage more patronage.
For part, the chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, said the airline was determined to increase connectivity within and outside Nigeria to ease the burden on travellers.
“The launch of our Kano flight operations is a very significant milestone in our vision to unite our dear country, Nigeria through air travel and lift the nation’s economy through trade facilitation and massive job creation.
“Today’s historic event accords with our strategy to expand our operations in the North of Nigeria and connect other unserved or underserved cities of the nation. “Kano has long been recognised as the economic capital of the North of Nigeria.
“We are, therefore, hopeful that the extension of our flight services to the state will positively impact on the economy of the region,” he said.
Onyema, who was by the airline’s spokesman, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said the inauguration of the Kano service would be followed with the commencement of its flight operations to Yola, Adamawa State on February 15, and Freetown, Banjul and Dakar on February 19.
In the last one year, he said the airline had expanded its capacity to serve the flying public with the increase of its fleet to a size of 24 aircraft.
“There is no doubt that we are now more positioned to transform air travel experience in Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa and beyond.
“We are reputed for our on-time performance and uncompromising stand on matters of safety.
“We promise to leverage the experience of our skilled staff and excellent business model to end the era of endless delays on the Lagos-Kano-Lagos and Kano-Abuja-Kano routes.
“We solicit your patronage and support as we operate twice daily from Lagos to Kano and back, once from Kano to Abuja and back and strive to deliver a whole new experience on the Kano route.
“We are determined to forge a mutually beneficial relationship with the good people and residents of Kano and its neighbouring states,” he said.
