Samson Echenim 
Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace on Friday night recorded the first ever international flight to happen at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, lifting 315 pilgrims from the oriental city to Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The flight was the departure of the inaugural 2025 Hajj flagged off by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday, May 9, 2025.
For the historic flight, Air Peace deployed its Boeing 777-300 aircraft known for its wide body. It was the first time such a large aircraft landed on the Owerri airport runway.
Vice President Kashim Shettima exchanging pleasantries with pilgrims, shortly before the Air Peace flight to Medina, Saudi Arabia took off.
“Air Peace recording the first international flight at the Owerri airport is not only historic, but also demonstrates our leadership and growing capacity in the industry. The event also shows the airport’s enhanced capacity and readiness to handle international operations of global standards.
“The flight is a non-stop spree from Owerri to Medina, Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter for the South-East region in religious tourism and international connectivity,” Air Peace spokesman, Osifo-Whiskey Efe said.
While flagging off the flight, Senator Shettima commended the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for promoting religious tolerance and inclusiveness in the state. He admonished the pilgrims to uphold Nigerian values and serve as true ambassadors of the nation while in the Holy Land.
Governor Uzodinma, in his remarks, reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the state’s aviation infrastructure.
“This airport will also support the airlift of Christian pilgrims in future exercises, further positioning Owerri as a hub for religious and international travels,” he said.
The inaugural flight was witnessed by important islamic figures in Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, lending credence to the unity and national significance of the occasion.
“This successful flight also comes as a strong rebuttal to recent rumors suggesting the suspension of Air Peace from Hajj operations. We have not only continued to uphold our reputation as a dependable partner in national service, but also lifted the first ever Hajj pilgrims from Owerri, a significant city in Southeast Nigeria,” Efe noted.
