Air Peace (file photo)
‘The pact would let carriers from the two countries to operate flights between Tel Aviv and cities in Nigeria, like Lagos and Abuja’
By Valentine Amanze
Nigeria’s Air Peace has become the first beneficiary of the boosted business tie between Israel and Nigeria.
Israeli Transport Minister, Miri Regev, announced on Sunday that if the country’s cabinet approved the deal, Air Peace would be the first airline to fly directly, operating twice weekly flights beginning April 20.
Regev said that Nigeria “maintains close ties with Israel in a wide variety of fields, alongside heavy traffic of pilgrims coming to Israel to visit the holy places in Christianity.”
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Launching direct flights, she said, “will contribute to strengthening of the business and cultural ties between the nations and between the governments.”
She however did not disclose why Air Peace was considered for the deal.
Reuters reported that the pact would let carriers from the two countries to operate flights between Tel Aviv and cities in Nigeria, like Lagos and Abuja.
According to Reuters, the agreement would facilitate a smoother pilgrimage for Christians to the Holy Land, quoting the ministry.
The trip currently requires a stopover, usually in Turkey or Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Aviation Ministry and the Air Peace have not made any official announcement on the deal as at press time.
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