Date: 2015-10-28

Air Peace airline, one of Nigeria domestic airlines operating commercial flight has concluded plans to start flying from Ilorin to Enugu by December this year.

With the commencement of the airline operation it will bring number of flights plying the Ilorin route to three as Air Peace will be competing with Arik Air and overland Airways.

This was disclosed at the weekend at the Ilorin International airport during a meeting between the staffers of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Ilorin International Airport and the leaders of Igbo communities from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states to deliberate on how to achieve success in the operation.

Speaking during the meeting the Airport Manager, Alhaji Abubukar Mohammed Bibi, informed the Igbo leaders how he met with the management of the airline concerning their interest in plying Ilorin and he was asked to discuss with them on the terms of operation.

"I approached Air Peace and woo them to start operating Ilorin route though it was stressful. We finally come out with resolution with the President of Air Peace and he suggested the airline should be flying Abuja-Ilorin-Enugu routes as better option to satisfy passengers' needs especially the igbos residing in these states.

"We are meeting now on the suggestion of the Air Peace President so as to agree on the best route you will want the airline to be plying," Bibi said

The airport manager however disclosed that the management of the airline when he called said they are in Jordan trying to purchase 3 additional aircraft and assured that they will start operation by first week of December on Ilorin route.

>p>He assured the Igbo delegates that their resolutions on the terms of operation will be forwarded to the management of Air Peace airline and reiterated that the airport management will assist the airline by providing some incentives on the land-side to ease their operations.

Bibi equally stressed that he is planning to open Lagos-Ilorin-Kano routes for another aircraft ( AZMAN air) in other to expand commercial flights operation in the airport.

Responding, the President-General of Igbo Communities in the four states, Chief T. M Njonku said it is a welcome development because it will facilitate transportation from Ilorin directly to Eastern part of Nigeria.