ART At Air Peace Inaugural Flight To London Gatwick Airport
Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), popularly known as ART was fully represented at the inaugural flight of Air Peace between Lagos and London held on March 30, 2024.
Dr. Soji Amusan and Mrs. Tinuke Nwakohu were fully on ground on behalf of ART. Dr. Amusan had a printed mini banner of ART on display.
ART, Nigeria’s foremost aviation NGO has over the years, been at the forefront of advocacy for Nigerian airlines, including Air Peace to be enabled to fly the country’s flag on the Lagos-London route and operate flights to other routes involving countries that have Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with Nigeria.
According to Nwakohu, who is also of Aviator Travels & Tours Limited, the Air Peace “inaugural flight was scheduled for Saturday 30th March 2024 at 00:10hrs. So, check-in was on Friday night. Check in counter opens at 6:00pm and closes at 10:30pm
The check-in process was smooth. Being the inaugural flight, there was a lot of fanfare and speeches by dignitaries present which included Dr Allen Onyema, the Vice Chairman Mrs. Onyema, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Prof Mike Ozekome, DG NCAA, President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye and Presidential Aspirant, Mr Yinka Folami who led other NANTA members, Ojini Okpe of Arise TV etc. Nollywood was also well represented.
With the official formalities concluded, we proceeded to board the flight. The process was smooth and pleasurable. The Aircraft was a 777 with First 2-2, Business 2-3-2 and Economy class 3-4-3 seat configurations. (The Airline also has a Dreamliner in its fleet).
The in-flight entertainment was good, though a bit limited in terms of choice.
The crew were all smartly dressed, courteous and professional. The food was on point. Nigerian and continental dishes were available including swallow which was highly commended by those who ate it.
We arrived at Gatwick Airport South Terminal right on time and the landing was the smoothest I have experienced in a long time.
At Gatwick Airport, we received a fantastic welcome by Nigerian Embassy officials and others who were on hand to receive the flight and the dignitaries on board
Overall, it was a good flight which I would definitely recommend to Nigerians and to repeat the NANTA chant, “Air Peace Our Own”
Kudos to the Air Peace Team!
