By Ime Akpan Lagos
Th e chairman/chief executive offi cer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has said that the airline suspended its fl ights to Asaba Airport and Osubi Airstrip because the status of the airports in the two cities did not guarantee the safe landing of the carrier’s B737 aircraft. Speaking in Lagos at the weekend when members of the National Association of NigerDelta Students visited him at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, Onyema said: “Air Peace had to suspend its fl ights to Asaba when the airport was downgraded because of its runway.
Th e airport’s runway was not suitable for the operation of the airline’s fl eet of B737 aircraft. Th e Osubi Airstrip, which is the closest to Eff urun and Warri, has a short runway. Th e runway could not handle B737 aircraft.” However, he assured that the diffi culties experienced by air travelers on the Asaba route would soon be addressed saying the runway at Asaba Airport was being fi xed. Onyema said the airline had procured some Embraer aircraft to service Asaba, Warri and other cities with similar airports in the country.
He used the opportunity to counsel the students to stay off crime and devote themselves to gainful engagements that would better their lives and contribute to the growth of the society. Earlier, the president of the association, Mr. Martins Abebe had expressed appreciation to the airline for bringing a new experience to air travel in Nigeria and providing jobs for people. Presenting the “Best Performing Airline in Nigeria” award to Air Peace, Abebe appreciated Onyema for setting up the airline for the development of Nigeria and the good of humanity.
