* Manager , Corporate Services, Mrs. Aderonke Emmanuel-James, the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Aanu Benson and Executive Director, Mrs. Aduke Atiba all of Overland Airways at its media briefing announcing the commencement of flights to Cotonou and Lome .
…To Deploy ATR 42,72 Aircraft
…Says Flight Services Is To Contribute To Regional Integration In W /Africa
As part of its network expansion drive, Overland Airways, one of the leading domestic airlines in the country has stated that it would commence flight operations to Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic and Lome, the Togolese capital on August 12, 2018.
This is just as the airline said that it decision to operate into Contonou and Lome was base on the fact that there is need.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO),Overland Airways, Mrs. Aanu Benson disclosed this to aviation journalists at a well attended media brief at the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA),Lagos.
Benson stated that the Lagos-Cotonou –Lome flight would be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays originate from Lagos to both Cotonu and Lome.
She added that the planned commencement of regional scheduled flight operation marks the takeoff of Overland Airways drive to participate actively in regional social economic activities and integration.
According to her, “West Africa is our territory and August 12 marks the beginning of domestic West Africa operations.”
Speaking further, Benson said, “Overland Airways operations to Cotonou and Lome are to offer choices to customers as our contribution to regional integration in West Africa. We want air travellers in the region to team up and discover each other while enjoying the excellent services we offer. It is an expression of Nigeria’s aviation renaissance in West Africa.”
She stated that one of the most important missing factors facing sustainable economic transformation in the West Africa sub region is smooth interconnectivity, adding that in the coming years, Overland Airways will facilitate a new environment for business, leisure travellers, families, students and more essentially bolster that bonding among the peoples and groupings in the region.
She also stated that there was the need to reinforce unity and prosperity at the regional level.
On the number of aircraft that would be deployed on the Lagos –Cotonou-Lome route, the COO, said that two aircraft; ATR 42 and ATR 72 would be dedicated to the regional operation.
Fielding question on what informed the airline’s decision to Operate to Cotonou and Lome, the Overland Airways COO explained that the airline flies to wherever there is need.
According to Benson, “At Overland Airways, we fly to wherever there is need. Right now there is a need in these destinations.”
On whether the airline has the capacity in terms of aircraft in its fleet to fly into these destinations, she stated that the airline would maximise its fleet, adding that fleet maximisation is very important in the operation of any airlines and that the airline has the aircraft to operate to Cotonou and Lome.
“Fleet maximisation is very important in the operations of any airline but at overland Airways, we have the right number of fleet to be able to fly to these destinations.”
Speaking on what the airline will do to attract passengers to fly Overland Airways to Cotonou and Lome; she stated that every airline has its own Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and that on-time departure is one of the successes of any airline, adding that the airline will take on-time departure very seriously.
She also stated that the airline would ensure that its passengers are comfortable.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Overland Airways, Mrs. Aduke Atiba said that the airline has the support of the two government to operate the flights , adding these support will propel the airline to fly into these routes.
She said that the Overland Airways business model is collecting passengers from Lagos and Abuja to the hinterland but that on August 12, 2018, the airline will be collecting passengers from the heart of Nigeria to the heart of the sub region.
She commended the media for their support, urging them to continue to support the airline, as it commences its operations into Cotonu and Lome.
