From Idu Jude, Abuja
Ten years after Nigeria and Israel signed bilateral air transpiration agreement, travellers from both countries can now begin to enjoy five hours direct flight, instead of going through alternate routes, as Air Peace Airlines launched commercial flight operations on the route.
The flight which began, yesterday, is expected to boost tourism, academic, religious and trade relations between the two countries.
Speaking, during a ceremony to mark the inaugural flight to Tel-Aviv, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Nwaliri, said the feat, was an accomplishment of a process which began in 2013 during the administration of former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
Former Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Kennedy Okpara, commended the efforts to open direct flights between the two countries.
Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said both Nigeria and Israel, would now enjoy full benefits of the bilateral air transport agreement and Nigerians and Israelites now had easy ways of moving into both countries.
Ground handler for Nigerian pilgrims and tourists to Israel, Mr. Solomon Nwachukwu, said the Nigerian/ Israeli relationship would grow stronger with the direct flight by Air Peace.
Nwachukwu, who was part of the inaugural flight to Israel, revealed that people who had in the past expressed fear over the 15 hours flight would find it more convenient to travel with the five hours flight.