Flag carrier deepens bilateral ties with Douala operations

Nigerian flag carrier, Air Peace airline, has opened the Lagos-Douala operations to deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Cameroon via air connectivity.

The new route is indeed strategic for both trade and the large population of Nigerians in the region, especially given its one-hour direct flight.

The Nigerian Community in Cameroon received the inaugural flight, which landed at Douala International Airport recently, with a sigh of relief.

Consul-General of Nigerian Embassy in Cameroon, Efe Clark-Omeru, said the route operation is a win-win for the two countries.

“There are a lot of free movements between the two countries. But instead of going through Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) for connecting flights, we now have direct flights, which is exactly what we need to grow. It is great news and a great day for us all,” Clark-Omeru said.

The President of Nigerian Community in Cameroon, Bartholomew Okwujaku, added that businessmen and women have been waiting for seamless flight services from Nigeria.

Okwujaku commended the Air Peace management and the host country for the cooperation that made it a dream come through.

“In business, time is money. To trade between the two countries, we have been passing through the water and drowning. Road travel is also not safe because of insecurity. But air transport, which is direct and cheaper, has solved all those problems for us. That is the way to develop regional trade,” Okwujaku said.

Air Peace’s Ground Operations Manager, Ayodeji Adeyemi, said the route was opened for mutual benefits for the two countries.

Adeyemi said Nigeria and Cameroon would benefit in the areas of employment creation, promotion of tourism, facilitation of a seamless movement of people and other forms of economic value.

He added: “Air Peace is famed for its no-city-left-behind initiative, which is driving our route expansion. The extension of our wings to Douala is resultant from our vision to create affordable and safe air travel for Africans, with our signature hospitality, connecting various cities across Africa, especially the West Coast, thereby fostering socio-economic integration.

“Air Peace is committed to excellence and we’re bringing this excellent service to Cameroonians. The airline has recorded tremendous feats in just seven years and now operates 19 domestic routes, six regional routes and two international destinations, with a varied fleet of 28 aircraft, including three ultramodern Embraer 195-E2 airplanes.”