Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum on Monday lauded Aero Contractors’ inaugural flight to Maiduguri International Airport.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Marte Hussaini, said the state was at present a “home of peace“ as peace had finally returned there.
The governor said airfare would be reduced with the airline’s commencement of flight operations to Maiduguri.
He said: “The only way to drive airfare down is to create a competitive environment so, with the arrival of Aero into the airport, the competition has just started.
“With the record of Aero which is safety first, I think the people of the state will definitely patronise the airline.
“There is no doubt that the airline will not experience a shortage of passengers because we have so many air travellers in and around the state.
“I wish the airline an excellent operation and I appreciate the airline for choosing the state for its operation,” the governor said.
Zulum noted that the state at present has four airlines operating into the state, with the arrival of Aero Contractors, adding that others are Max Air, Arik Air and Azman Air.
Earlier in his speech, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer (CEO), Capt Abdullahi Mahmood, assured the people of the state of timely departure.
“I want to assure the people of the state that Aero will operate timely departure, your safety and passengers’ comfort are going to be guaranteed as from today.
“As you all know that the airline stands for safety, passengers’ comfort and the reliable way to fly. This is why we have come to the state to proof to the people of the state,” he said.
Mahmood said this was the first time the airline was operating into the state, as they all know Maiduguri was a home of peace.
He said the airline was in the state to accomplish what the governor was presently doing because he cannot achieve his achievement without the airlines operating to the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline with Air Bus 320 Flight N2421 departed Lagos Airport en route Abuja lifting the airline’s management and officials of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at exactly 10:50 a.m.
The airline departed Abuja to Maiduguri at exactly 1:50 p.m and arrived the Maiduguri International Airport at exactly 2:50p.m.
The airline’s management team was welcome to the airport by officials of the state government, members of the Borno House of Assembly and some cultural dancers.
