Neos Airlines, the Italian flag carrier, is set to begin weekly direct flights from Italy to Lagos, Nigeria, starting October 30. The announcement was made by Sky Master, the airline’s handler, during a launch event in Ikeja, Lagos, attended by industry stakeholders, regulators, and prospective clients.
Princewill Ogbonna, Managing Director of Sky Master, emphasized that the introduction of these flights will enhance the relationship between Nigeria and Italy. “Neos Airlines is a private carrier based in Somma Lombardo, Lombardy, and we are excited to commence direct operations to Nigeria using a Boeing 787-8 for the first month,” he stated.
Ogbonna also highlighted the airline’s flexibility in catering to the needs of groups and associations. “For example, if the Christian Association of Nigeria wants to fly directly to Rome without stopping in Milan, we can arrange connecting flights to accommodate that request,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to facilitate foreign investment in Nigeria. “I want to commend President Tinubu for his inspiration and leadership. This marks the second airline launching direct operations into Nigeria during his administration, reflecting his focus on attracting direct investments.”
Ogbonna further recognized the tireless work of the Minister of Aviation, stating, “We have developed a strategy to start with one flight per week using the Boeing 737 to test the waters, with plans to increase to three flights a week by the second month.”
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, praised the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for making this achievement possible. Represented by Alex Kefas, Director of the European Affairs Division, Tuggar referred to the launch as an “official re-launch of the Nigeria-Italy Airlinks,” congratulating all stakeholders involved in realizing this long-awaited initiative.
“I want to acknowledge the contributions of both Nigerian and Italian ministries, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Ambassador and Consul General in Lagos, who played vital roles in signing the Memorandum of Understanding,” Tuggar stated.
Italian Consul General in Nigeria, Ugo Boni, expressed his enthusiasm for the new flights, calling them “long overdue.” He looks forward to increasing flight frequency and improving visa processing times to facilitate easier travel for Nigerians. “This is a welcome development for the Nigeria-Italy relationship, and I hope to see an increase in flight frequency to three times a week soon,” he concluded.
