Air Peace airlifts 2025 Hajj Pilgrims from Owerri Airport to Saudi Arabia

Air Peace on Friday, May 9, 2025 carried out the first international flight at Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri, Imo State. The airline airlifted 315 pilgrims from the airport to Medina, Saudi Arabia, using a wide-body Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

This demonstrated the airport’s enhanced capacity and readiness to handle international operations of global standards.

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima flagged off the flight, commending Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for promoting religious tolerance and inclusiveness in the state.

In his address, the Vice President encouraged the pilgrims to uphold Nigerian values and serve as true ambassadors of the nation while in the Holy Land.

In his remarks, Governor Hope Uzodinma reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the state’s aviation infrastructure.

He emphasized that the airport would also support the airlift of Christian pilgrims in future exercises, further positioning Owerri as a hub for religious and international travel.

This successful flight also comes as a strong rebuttal to recent rumors suggesting the suspension of Air Peace from Hajj operations.

Not only has the airline continued to uphold its reputation as a dependable partner in national service, but it has also now inaugurated the 2025 Hajj operations from a new departure city, Owerri.

With this development, Air Peace and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport have entered the annals of history, signaling a new era of regional integration, religious harmony, and aviation excellence in Nigeria.