Air Peace on Monday resumed commercial flight from Makurdi in Benue State to Lagos and Abuja.
The resumption followed the airline cessation of activities in Makurdi after its debut flight on December 4, 2021.
Governor Samuel Ortom was on ground to witness the resumption of the commercial flights to and from Makurdi at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aerodrome in Makurdi.
Ortom said the state met regulatory requirements for the resumption of commercial aviation. “We have invested heavily in time, goodwill and financial resources to help to meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s rigorous requirements for the resumption of commercial aviation services here,” he said.
Ortom said the state government also procured and provided an NCAA-approved digital Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, along with training, equipping and testing of over 50 firemen, ambulance, health personnel for emergency rescue services and provision of subsidy to defray Air Peace against any unanticipated route risks, among others.
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Ortom added, “It is true that meeting these requirements was frustrating and costly for us as a state government. But we had no doubt that these were necessary investments to ensure safe air links between our state and the rest of Nigeria and the world.”
Earlier, Ground Operation of Air Peace, Adeyemi Ayodeji, in his address to mark Air Peace’s entry into Makurdi appreciated the efforts of the state government in making the route a reality.
Ayodeji, who represented Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, added that the socio-economic potential of the route would be explored.
The flight was accorded a water salute amidst cultural dances by the state arts troupe to the admiration of passengers and onlookers.
