Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace on Wednesday launched operations into Johannesburg, South Africa as it boosts its international operations and flies the flag of Nigeria across the world.
It is the second International flight the airline would be launching after its Sharjah-Dubai flight which it launched in 2019.
Air Peace is not a stranger in South Africa as the airline has helped in airlifting Nigerians stranded in the land in the wake of the Xenophobic attack last year.
The Boeing 777 aircraft departed the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos amidst fanfare on Wednesday night arriving Johannesburg on Thursday.
For the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, the Johannesburg flight would boost the economies of the two countries as the problem of connectivity would have been addressed.
Daily Trust reports that presently there is no direct flight from Lagos to Johannesburg as travellers and business men and women usually go through other flights before connecting South Africa, the experience which they usually describe as cumbersome.
Onyema, who spoke just before the flight took off, explained that with the launch of the second international route, it has proven that Nigerian airlines can rule the world if given all the support and encouragement.
He said, “I feel great for Nigerians. I feel happy because Air Peace is trying to afford the flying public direct flight to Johannesburg and back to Nigeria instead of going round the world, going round Africa before flying to South Africa. Now in less than six hours we will be there. So it is something that we look forward to doing at greater heights.
“We promised Nigerians six years ago when we started Air Peace that we are not only going to connect cities in Nigeria and communities but also connect this country with other nations of the world. Gradually we are getting there.”
The Chairman said the airline is being strategic in its expansion drive, noting that the airline has been following its business plan “meticulously” since 2014.
Also speaking during the inaugural flight, Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatosin Olajide said the airline’s expansion into Johannesburg South Africa would deepen options for passengers and also create opportunities for the people of South Africa.
She said it was great that the airline had come to bridge the gap between both countries at this crucial time in terms of connectivity.
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