Overland Airways Commences Lagos-Minna Flights
Overland Airways, one of Nigeria’s most consistent and focussed airline, yesterday held its inaugural flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, Niger State.
The 47-minutes flight conducted with Overland’s Embraer 175 aircraft that features Premium and Economy cabins was followed by a colourful reception ceremony held at Minna Airport.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo said the “launch of this flight services from Minna to Lagos and Abuja is the beginning of restoration of important air connectivity to Minna and its environs and we count on your support to sustain this flight services.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda which he said is reflecting in aviation and thanked the Nigeria State Governor, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his support. He said “What the administration of His Excellency is doing today by ushering Overland Airways into Minna will be remembered and appreciated in the years to come for the prosperity it will bring to the lives of the people.”
“Aviation is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end. What we are witnessing today is not only about air connectivity. It is about opening up the economy of Niger State and offering opportunities for trade, investment, agriculture and other sectors of the economy with the outside world, to explore business opportunities in this State. There is a saying that “A kilometer of road takes you nowhere but a kilometer runway can take you all over the world”. This direct flight services from Minna to Abuja and Lagos will ensure that citizens of Niger State can fly to any part of the world through onward connections from Abuja and Lagos.”
Boyo said Overland Airways has pioneered and perfected air transport on many routes in Nigeria and even beyond, helping to improve the quality of lives in these destinations. “This is our ambition for Niger State, to help bring investors to harness the opportunities in this state. This State hosts many hydroelectric power dams, and many agricultural opportunities that Nigeria and the outside world need.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Honourable Idris Garba, who was represented, commended Overland Airways and urged the Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development and the State Governor to further develop the airport and other airports nationwide.
The Minister of Information, Mr. Mohammed Idris said President Tinubu was in Minna about one and half year ago to commission the airport. He urged other state Governors to follow the example set by Niger State Government.
The Minster of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN) commended Overland Airways for opening up various routes across West Africa, having done the same thing in Ilorin, Ibadan, Jalingo, and some West African cities. He also commended the Governor and advised that because of the agricultural base nature of Niger State, the airport cargo projects should be extended to make it a complete cargo hub “where we can process cargo export out of the country.”
Governor Bago in his remarks said the state government through New Niger Aviation Company intends to build an aircraft maintenance hangar in the next six months and is already discussing with Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on plans for a new terminal at the airport.
He said the terminal of Minna airport, which sits on 3,000 hectares of land was never used and there was a broken runway on his assumption of office which was first fixed after getting approvals.
“Now, we have built the only hajj terminal in the whole of Nigeria,” he said, adding that making the airport an alternate airport to Abuja international airport was the vision of former President Ibrahim Babangida, which former Governor Babangida Aliu pursued but did not complete the process.
Bago said an agreement had just been signed for a 100 houses estate project called Aviation Estate which will be completed by December 2025. The houses would be given to the aviation industry. Another 100 houses would be built for Nigeria Air Force personnel.
Identifying business, trade and tourism prospects in the state, he said 10 universities had emerged in Niger State within one year and discussions are on with Hilton to have a five-star hotel in Minna. He said the airport has facility for fuel dump and the state government intends to work with aviation agencies to enable fuel bowsers at the airport.
Overland’s Lagos-Minna-Abuja flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Capt. Boyo says frequency will be increased later.
The reception ceremony was also attended by Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon. Mohammed Idris, Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, representatives of Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, former Nigeria Governor, Babangida Aliu and other dignitaries.
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