….West African Destinations Now 13
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace has strengthened its regional footprint with the launch of direct flight services on the Lagos–Conakry–Bamako route, a move aimed at boosting trade, tourism and economic integration across West Africa.
The inaugural flight departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos on Saturday, August 1, marking another milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy and reinforcing its ambition to improve connectivity across Africa.
The new service links Nigeria’s commercial capital with Conakry, the capital of Guinea, and Bamako, the capital of Mali, creating easier travel options for business executives, tourists, government officials and other passengers within the sub-region.
Air Peace said the route would also support greater economic cooperation, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties among West African countries while enhancing seamless travel across its growing African network.
The airline’s delegation, led by the Chief Commercial Officer, Nowel Ngala, and Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustine Kamano, received a ceremonial welcome on arrival at Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport in Conakry.
Among those who welcomed the delegation were Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Ousmane Gaoul Diallo; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Guinea, Ambassador Umaru Kamfu; Director of the Civil Aviation Authority, Thiam Oumar Sekou; and members of the Nigerian community resident in Guinea.
Speaking during the reception, Diallo described Air Peace’s entry into Guinea as a significant development that would deepen relations between Nigeria and Guinea while encouraging greater movement of people, goods and investment between both countries.
He said the new route would improve air transport links and open up fresh opportunities for commerce and economic cooperation.
Also speaking, Thiam Oumar Sekou, Director of Guinea’s Civil Aviation Authority, said increased air connectivity remains critical to the growth of the aviation industry and the broader goal of regional integration in West Africa.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Guinea, Umaru Kamfu, commended Air Peace for expanding its African network, saying the new service would strengthen bilateral relations and provide Nigerians, Guineans and other regional travellers with more convenient travel options.
On behalf of the airline, Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala described the inaugural service as another important step in Air Peace’s mission to connect African cities and make travel across the continent easier.
He explained that the Conakry and Bamako services form part of the airline’s broader strategy to build a strong regional network that enables passengers from its domestic destinations to connect seamlessly through Lagos to other African cities as well as international destinations, including London and the Caribbean.
Ngala reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to bringing African economies closer through reliable air transport while creating greater convenience and business opportunities for passengers.
Following the Conakry stop, the inaugural flight continued to Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, where another reception was organised for the Air Peace delegation.
Officials who welcomed the airline included Deputy Director of Assistance Aéroportuaire du Mali, Abdrahamane Farota, Technical Director Bahide Konandji, representing the Director General of Mali Airport, and members of the Nigerian community in Mali.
Farota praised Air Peace for extending its operations to Mali, saying the new route would improve connectivity between the two countries and promote trade, tourism and investment.
Konandji also described the airline’s arrival as a major boost for Mali’s aviation sector and expressed optimism that the route would encourage easier movement of passengers and businesses within the region.
Members of the Nigerian community in Mali welcomed the new service, noting that it would reduce travel stress and strengthen social and commercial ties between Nigerians and Malians.
Air Peace said the launch of the Lagos–Conakry–Bamako route underscores its commitment to promoting intra-African connectivity and positioning Lagos as a major gateway for regional and international travel.
With the addition of Conakry and Bamako, the airline now operates to 13 destinations across West Africa, further consolidating its position as one of the region’s largest carriers.
The latest expansion comes as Air Peace continues to widen its domestic, regional and international route network, supporting Nigeria’s growing role as a key aviation hub in Africa while providing passengers with more travel options across the continent and beyond.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
