Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano on Monday urged the Federal Government to give the needed support to Nigerian carrier, Air Peace to enable the airline begin flights on the international routes.
The governor made the appeal in a
statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Don Adinuba.
It will be recalled that no Nigerian airline is currently plying the lucrative international routes which recorded 15,645 flights in 2018.
The federal government has however granted Air Peace approval to start long-haul operations to Sharjah, Dubai, Johannesburg, London, Houston, Guangzhou and Mumbai.
Adinuba quoted Obiano as describing Air Peace, which recently received its third B777 aircraft in preparation for its foray into the international market, as the fastest growing and most ambitious airline in Nigeria's history.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the number of aircraft the airline had acquired since it commenced flight operations in 2014.
Obiano urged the federal government to support the airline with a flag carrier status instead of floating a new national carrier like the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited.
"This is a more pragmatic step to take than the rumoured current attempt in some quarters to make the President Muhammadu Buhari administration establish a state-owned airline.
"This is despite the terrible record of Nigeria Airways and the government's wise suspension of Nigeria Air in September 2018.
"There is no way any state-owned or promoted airline can enhance Nigeria's reputation in the world that Air Peace is not doing and will continue to do with greater efficiency and results," he added.
According to him, of particular interest to both the flying public and the government is the airline's safety record which is excellent owing to the extra mile it goes to not only maintain its machines to the highest global standards.
He commended the professionalism demonstrated by Air Peace staff in their flight operations, asserting the airline’s flight services were comparable to those of its international counterparts.
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