The federal government has disclosed plans to commence direct flights from Nigeria to Israel for airlifting of Christian pilgrims.
The flights would be dedicated for the airlift of Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem in line with partnership with Air Peace, Nigeria’s foremost airline.
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Daily Trust on Sunday reports that this would be the first time in a long while that Christian pilgrims would be airlifted directly to the holy land.
The executive secretary, Christian Pilgrim Commission, The Rev Dr Yakubu Pam, had hinted that by the end of November, 2022, direct flights from Nigeria to Israel would be launched.
Nigeria, H.E Mr Michael Freeman and Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema in his office in Abuja.
A statement from Air Peace quoted the Airline’s Chairman as assuring of its readiness to launch the flight operations even as the Commission said it would promote direct flights to Israel.
It would be recalled that Air Peace had deployed its wide-bodied B747 aircraft to carry out evacuation flights from Nigeria to Israel during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Onyema stated that Air Peace is desirous of kicking off direct flight operations to Israel in order to ease the burden of connecting flights from the Commission and the intending pilgrims.
According to the NCPC boss, ”Having a direct flight to Israel by a Nigerian airline will curtail the issue of high expenditure and reduce abscondment”.
He added that it would reduce the cost of flight drastically.
“Our joy is that our own person, a Nigerian, will be the first to have this opportunity to airlift pilgrims directly to Israel”.
He expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for considering it imperative to pay a courtesy visit to NCPC for the first time, barely nine months since assuming office.
“We are very humble to receive you here in your capacity as one who represents the entire country of Israel in Nigeria”, he said.
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