Good things are happening to Nigeria’s domestic airline, Overland Airways as the airlines has embarked on spreading its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria with the commencement of flights into Lome, Togo and Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The airline In line with its expansion agenda, on Sunday, August 12, 2018 began flight services from Lagos to Lome, Republic of Togo with the inaugural flight warmly received by the aviation, business and leisure communities as an essential quick-link between both countries.
OverlandAirways’ inaugural flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with a brief stop-over at the Cadjehoun International Airport, Cotonou before landing at the Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport in Lome, Togo.
ALSO READ: Osun 2018: Saraki, Mark’s intervention in PDP’s will determine my next move ― Adejare Bello
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director, OverlandAirways, Captain Edward Boyo declared “Today, we share the joy of connecting brothers to brothers, sisters to sisters, communities to communities.
“We have removed the borders between Nigeria, Benin Republic and Republic of Togo. You don’t need a visa to move from Togo to Lagos or Cotonou to Lagos, all you need is Overland Airways. So we are here for you. We shall continue breaking the borders for the good of all Africa. Overland Airways has come to Togo to stay.”
For Ambassador Olusola Iji, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Togo, while saying the commencement of Overland Airways’ flights services into Togo solidifies the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two countries, he added that the initiative by Overland Airways aligned very much with the expectations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in fostering its relationship with the Republic of Togo.
The Lagos-Cotonou flight was warmly received by the business and leisure communities as an essential quick-link between both countries.
Ambassador Kayode Oguntuase, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, who led the diplomatic delegation at the reception of the Overland Airways’ maiden flight, stated that the commencement of Overland Airways flight services to Cotonou is an addition to the economic presence of Nigeria in Benin Republic.
“There is no doubt that we need an airline to be operating between Benin Republic and Nigeria. Overland Airways will facilitate this economic integration between Nigeria and Benin. The dream of integration in West Africa cannot be achieved without effective transportation.”
Speaking at the event, the executive director at the airline Mrs Atiba explained “The West Africa region with a population of nearly 400 million people with diverse cultures and tourism cites is full of untapped trade, business and leisure opportunities which nationals from Republic of Benin, Nigeria, Togo and others in the region can take advantage of. The dire need to develop West Africa’s economies places on us a responsibility to act fast and professionally.”
and then