Oyo Govt Facilitates Air Peace Flights From Ibadan Airport
Demonstrating its commitment to uplifting the standard of Ibadan Airport, the Oyo State government has facilitated the commencement of flights by Air Peace Airlines from Ibadan.
This is as the act of the state goverment would complement the effort of the hitherto single airline operating on the route, Overland, and ease the stress Abuja-bound passengers usually go through to board a flight to the nation’s capital.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that the airline decided to enlist the Ibadan route, following what was called “encouragements” by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, just as the airline has commenced ticket sales in all its outlets.
The airline, in a confirmation notice said to have been issued to authorities of Ibadan Airport, said that it will commence flight operations from Abuja to Ibadan and back, starting from August 16, 2021.
“Air Peace Airlines is commencing operations into Ibadan on the 16th of August. It will run Abuja to Ibadan and back,” the notice read.
Sources close to the state government in Ibadan also confirmed that the Air Peace had concluded plans to flag off its operations from Ibadan.
A source close to the government said: “Of course, it is true that Air Peace is kick starting flights to Ibadan from mid-August 2021. This is a good testament to efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde to turn around the Ibadan Airport and help it to get the international standard it deserves.
“If all the regional airports established at the same time with that of Ibadan are already doing well, why won’t the Ibadan Airport take advantage of its closeness to Lagos and take a slice off the goodies of Lagos?
“The governor is doing everything to ensure that and this is why Air Peace has finalised arrangements to start flying the Ibadan route.
“You will recall that apart from the purchase of a sophisticated fire truck and other equipment which facilitated the Category Six Certification of the Airport, Oyo State government has also awarded the contract for the installation of a 500,000-litre capacity aviation fuel facility at the airport at the cost of N1.2billion.
“That is aside other ancillary works including the repair works on the runway and the terminal building.
“I can tell you that the government of Oyo State is doing everything to ensure that Ibadan Airport not only attains the much needed international status, but that it also begins to serve as the immediate alternative to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, in case of congestion and even weather challenges.
“It does not augur well for Nigeria that anytime international flights cannot land in Lagos, they have to go to Accra Ghana.
“Meanwhile, the Ibadan Airport can easily be accessed to serve that purpose, and with the Lagos/Ibadan train fully operational and the reconstruction of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, passengers won’t find it difficult to get to their destinations from Ibadan.”
