By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State government in partnership with Pioneer Airlines on Monday officially begun commercial flights with one of the aircraft acquired by the Bayelsa State government, an ATR 72-600, and operated by the private airline.
The non-scheduled flight operation from Abuja to Bayelsa heralded the State’s venture into the Nigerian aviation business.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the historic flight was flown by Captain M. Ibrahim and First Officer Joyce, a female co-pilot, in the cockpit.
The statement explained that the aircraft taxied off the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 11:00hrs and, following clearance from the control tower, was airborne at 11:10hrs en route the Bayelsa International Airport.
“Interestingly, on board the air-bird was the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, who was Passenger 1A.
“Seated with him in the cabin were a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters 1, High Chief Collins Cocodia, and five of the governor’s aides.
“After a very comforting one hour and five minutes experience in the air, the plane touched down at the Bayelsa airport at 12:15hrs.
“An impressed Governor Diri expressed confidence in the airline’s ability and capacity to deliver quality services while looking forward to a robust and rewarding partnership with the state.
“This truly exciting new journey is yet another affirmation of Governor Diri’s visionary leadership that is anchored on an unyielding commitment to positively changing the Bayelsa story,” the statement added.
