Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace has launched flights to the West African city of Abidjan – Ivory Coast, in line with its “no-city-left-behind” initiative.
The maiden flight which was operated by Air Peace’ B737-500 took place on Monday January 22, 2024 and was warmly received by Ivory Coast’s airport authorities, officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan as well as the Nigerian community in the city after it touched down at the Félix-Houphouёt-Boigny International Airport, Abidjan.
Commenting on the development, Air Peace’ Director of Flight Operations (DFO), Capt. Augustin Kamano stated that the new route will foster bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ivory Coast; deepening commercial cooperation between the two nations while also helping travelers fly directly from Abidjan to Dakar, Senegal. This is just as the management of Air Peace also announced the upcoming launching of Cotonou, Benin Republic set for January 27, 2024.
Belabouring the airline’s commitment to further boost connectivity between key cities within West Africa, the DFO added: “Since we commenced operations in 2014, we have been on an aggressive but strategic route expansion mission, becoming famed for our “no-city-left-behind” initiative in order to make air travel easier for the collective development of all West African countries.”
On her part, Itam Akpama who is Chargé d’Affairs at the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan expressed joy at the development and offered her support to the airline as it commences operations in the French-speaking nation; saying the development is a timely one, as the entire continent is currently visiting Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) – an opportunity for Air Peace to participate its quota in the advancement of tourism in Ivory Coast, while also spreading the Nigerian culture.
Also present at the inaugural ceremony was the President of the Nigerian Community in Ivory Coast, Chief Michael Onwuchelu, who thanked his host country for its hospitality and lauded Dr. Allen Onyema, the CEO and Chairman of Air Peace for the giant strides taken to connect the continent. In his own words: “This is our own, and we must fully support it. Ivory Coast has been a hospitable country; we are all happy here. We will support our own”, he said.
