Air Peace set to boost Ondo economy

One of the fast-growing airlines in Nigeria, Air Peace has entered into partnership with the Ondo State government to drive economic development of the oil producing state through air transportation.

The airline launched first flight to the state from Lagos as the governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) with the Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema joined passengers on board Boeing 737-36N aircraft with registration number 5N-BQO to Akure Airport, Akure.

Explaining what the partnership with the airline means to the state in terms of tourism and investment, the governor said, “no doubt, we have an air link to Ondo from Lagos, it means a lot to Ondo State people. Our drive is for investment and a lot of our investors want to come in.”

“We are starting with Lagos-Akure and Akure back to Lagos. We already have an airline running Akure-Abuja but it would not stop Air Peace if they find out that they can also do combined flight. It will be in our interest, but what we have now is Lagos-Akure, Akure-Lagos with Air Peace.”

The governor also said that Air Peace was a preferred airline among other airlines negotiated with concerning the partnership. “We discussed with many airlines, but those involved in the negotiation were able to report to me that Air Peace gave us the best in terms of their offer.

The offer appears better than other airlines. And again, it is a growing airline. They have even promised us to deploy one of their expected new aircraft to this route.”

On his part, the Chairman of the airline Allen Onyema said the organisation’s drive is to contribute to the economic development of the country. “It is part of Air Peace’s drive to contribute to the unity and development of this country so, you can see now.

N10,000 for one-way trip, it has never happened before. We decided to do this in order to assist Ondo state. Human and mineral resources there are abound in very high level.

We want to help investors go into Akure in Ondo state. Aviation is a catalyst for economic development. It is part of our policy to give every part of this country a chance to develop.

We are going into Akure to help them actualize their own economic development plan. Investors are already asking questions about the state that if it is true that we are going into Akure. They are looking forward to going there. Ondo State is an oil producing state.”