Bayelsa State just landed its first government-owned plane at the airport in Yenagoa after Governor Douye Diri and a bunch of political heavyweights took the inaugural flight on an ATR-72/600 that seats 72 people. The governor said this whole thing proves his administration actually followed through on connecting Bayelsa to the rest of Nigeria by air, and he wants the plane's registration switched from Pioneer Airline to something like Air Bayelsa or Bayelsa Air before commercial flights kick off. Fire trucks gave the aircraft the water cannon treatment when it touched down.
Diri gave props to past governors for getting the airport built in the first place, while Pioneer Airlines will handle the actual operations on a dry lease arrangement. The airline plans to run daily routes hitting Lagos, Abuja, and other spots across the Niger Delta region. The oil minister told the state government to make sure officials actually pay for their flights instead of treating it like a free ride if they want the airline to stay afloat long-term.
Diri gave props to past governors for getting the airport built in the first place, while Pioneer Airlines will handle the actual operations on a dry lease arrangement. The airline plans to run daily routes hitting Lagos, Abuja, and other spots across the Niger Delta region. The oil minister told the state government to make sure officials actually pay for their flights instead of treating it like a free ride if they want the airline to stay afloat long-term.
