The Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, made history on Friday as it hosted its first-ever international flight, airlifting 315 Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj.
Operated by Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, the historic flight departed on a wide-body Boeing 777-300, making it the first time such a large aircraft has landed on the airport’s runway.
Vice President Kashim Shettima personally flagged off the inaugural flight, praising Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for promoting religious tolerance and inclusivity.
Shettima urged the departing pilgrims to uphold Nigerian values and serve as true ambassadors while in the Holy Land.
Governor Uzodinma, in his remarks, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding the state’s aviation infrastructure, noting that the airport will also support Christian pilgrimages in the future, further establishing Owerri as a hub for religious and international travel.
The event was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, alongside other dignitaries and religious leaders, underscoring the unity and national importance of the occasion.
This successful flight also serves as a response to recent rumors about Air Peace’s suspension from Hajj operations, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to reliable international service.
