The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed plans to commence direct flights from Nigeria to Israel for airlifting of Christian pilgrims.
The flights would be dedicated to the airlift of Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem in line with a partnership with Air Peace, Nigeria’s foremost airline.
This would be the first time in a long while that Christian pilgrims would be airlifted directly to the holy land.
The Christian Pilgrim Commission executive secretary, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam, had hinted that direct flights from Nigeria to Israel would be launched by the end of November 2022.
H.E Mr Michael Freeman and Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, in his office in Abuja.
A statement from Air Peace quoted the airline’s chairman as assuring its readiness to launch flight operations even though the commission said it would promote direct flights to Israel.
Air Peace direct flights from Nigeria to Israel
It should be remembered that Air Peace deployed its wide-bodied B747 aircraft to carry out evacuation flights from Nigeria to Israel during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Onyema stated that Air Peace desires to launch direct flight operations to Israel to ease the burden of connecting flights for the Commission and the intending pilgrims.
According to the NCPC boss, ”Having a direct flight to Israel by a Nigerian airline will curtail the issue of high expenditure and reduce abscondment”.
He added that it would drastically reduce the cost of flights.
“Our joy is that our own person, a Nigerian, will be the first to have this opportunity to airlift pilgrims directly to Israel”.
He thanked the Ambassador for considering it imperative to pay a courtesy visit to NCPC for the first time, which has been barely nine months since assuming office.
He said, “We are very humble to receive you here in your capacity as one who represents the entire country of Israel in Nigeria.”
