Jamaica welcomes Air Peace historic flight from Nigeria

Air Peace made its historic direct flight from Lagos to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, on Monday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (centre) engages in discussion with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama (left), following the arrival of a historic direct flight from Lagos, Nigeria, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, on Monday. At right is Minister of Transport and Mining Robert Montague.

It is the first non-stop flight to the island from Nigeria and is aimed at exploring the possibility of direct round-trip commercial airlift between the two destinations.

The Nigerian airline with 132 passengers, including Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, his wife Sulola Onyeama, and 19 crew members, arrived at approximately 10:15 pm. The 12-hour trip was arranged by tour company Nigerians Travel Too in partnership with Air Peace.

A high-level delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith and Transport and Mining Minister Robert Montague was on hand to greet the passengers.

Senator Johnson Smith, in welcoming the Nigerians to Jamaican shores, said the flight will help to boost trade relations between the two countries and also strengthen their relationship, through tourism, air services and culture.

“It is a true… meeting of south to south cooperation,” she said.

She noted that in addition to the economic benefits, there is opportunity to build on the historical and cultural ties between the countries.