Air Peace opens Lagos-Tel-Aviv flight operations

Nigerian flag carrier, Air Peace airline, is scheduled to begin direct flight operations into Tel-Aviv, Israel, on April 20, 2023.

The milestone, by a Nigerian airline, will bring a sigh of relief to Nigerians and Israelis that have had to travel 20-plus hours of connecting flights between the two countries.

The Israeli government has confirmed Air Peace’s inaugural flight into Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel-Aviv, Israel, on April 20.

Israeli Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brigadier-General Miri Regev, who disclosed this in Israel, said this would be a historical feat, as there had never been a direct flight between the Middle East nation and Nigeria.

An official statement disclosed that the signed bilateral agreement between the two countries would for the first time allow airlines of the two countries to operate regular flights between Tel-Aviv, Abuja, and Lagos.

“In the first phase, the Nigerian company (airline) will operate two weekly flights between Israel and Nigeria.

“So far, no direct flight has been operated between the two countries, and the thousands of pilgrims, who come to Israel every year from Nigeria, have flown through Turkey or Ethiopia. The agreement will allow Israeli and Nigerian airlines to make direct flights between the countries, and increase the number of pilgrims, who come to Israel every year.”

Regev said Israel had started opening new routes to connect the world, and identified Nigeria as one of the leading countries in Africa that maintained close ties with Israel.

“Recently, we have witnessed a wave of new routes being opened to destinations all over the world, and I am happy to announce the launch of direct flights to Nigeria as well. Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa, and it maintains close ties with Israel in a wide variety of fields, along with traffic of pilgrims, who come to Israel to visit the holy places of Christianity.

“I welcome the opening of the new route, and I am sure that it will contribute to strengthening the business and cultural ties between the nations, and between the governments,” she said.

Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, said the airline was prepared for the inaugural and subsequent flights to the Holy Land.

Onyema commended the governments of Nigeria and Israel, saying the duo made the feat possible.

He also disclosed that the airline had completed plans to begin three-weekly flight services to Jeddah and Medina, to make it easy for Nigerians who wish to travel for pilgrimage.

He expressed confidence that the airline would secure approval from Saudi authorities for the flight service, and in the next few days would announce the date for the scheduled flight operation.