Bayelsa unveils 2 aircraft for commercial flights

The Bayelsa State government has unveiled one of the two ATR-72/600 aircraft to commence commercial flights from the state airport. Governor Douye Diri had last month announced that the state had acquired two aircraft to run an airline. Speaking on Wednesday during the inaugural flight of one of its two newly acquired aircraft landing at […]

The Bayelsa State government has unveiled one of the two ATR-72/600 aircraft to commence commercial flights from the state airport.

Governor Douye Diri had last month announced that the state had acquired two aircraft to run an airline.

Speaking on Wednesday during the inaugural flight of one of its two newly acquired aircraft landing at the state’s airport, Governor Douye Diri, described the feat as a landmark event in the state’s history.

The ATR-72/600 aircraft, took off from the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 09:30hrs with about 50 passengers and crew on board, including Governor Douye Diri, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, members of the state’s National Assembly Caucus, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Ben Okaba and the National Chairman, Pan Nigerian Delta Forum, Dr. Boladei Igali, among others.

It touched down at the Bayelsa airport at 10:40hrs amid jubilation by a mammoth crowd.

 

The aircraft received the traditional water cannon salute on arrival from the fire trucks at the airport.

 

 

 

Governor Diri described the celebration as historic, saying it underscored his administration’s commitment to fulfilment of its promise to connect the people of the state to other parts of the country and the world by air. 

 

 

 

He also stated that the inauguration of the aircraft was a moment of deep gratitude and celebration for every Bayelsan as it marked a decisive step in strengthening the state’s aviation capacity and expanding its economic horizons.

 

 

 

In his welcome remarks, Managing Director of Bayelsa Airport Limited, Air Vice‑Marshal Nelson Calmday (rtd), said the airline will not only operate the Lagos and Abuja routes daily but also other Niger Delta states. 

 

 

 

Also, Managing Director of Pioneer Airlines, Captain Henry Ungbuku, said the company will embody the dreams and aspirations of the people of the state and Niger Delta in its operations.

 

 

 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, equally lauded Governor Diri and urged the state government to sustain the airline’s flight operations by ensuring that government officials pay for flying the aircraft.