Medview integrates regional air travel with services to Monrovia, Freetown via Accra

Nigeria ‘ s flag carrier airline, Medview today deepened intra African trade relations as the carrier launched services to Freetown, Sierra Leone, Monrovia, Liberia via Accra, Ghana.

Medview ‘ s inaugural flights to the two cities brought excitement to travellers who yearned for strong connectivity with nations in West Africa and Africa as a whole following depletion of services by carriers which showed promise at inception but ceased operations shortly after.

Flight services by the carrier have again rekindled hope of integration in the West Africa sub region.

Air travel within West Africa is said to be cumbersome as travellers most times go to Europe or North Africa to connect flights back to continent.

Speaking to woleshadare.net at the Robertsfield International Airport, Monrovia, Special Representative of the President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Liberia, Amb. Tunde Ajisomo said what Medview had done would deepen trade within the sub region.

A visibly elated envoy said, “We welcome maiden flight of Medview to Monrovia and Sierra Leone would help to integrate the region.”

He disclosed that the plan to bring Medview to the cities started a year ago and thanked the people of Liberia for providing the facilities and logistics for making the dream come through.

“We said Medview needed to have an inroad into Monrovia and the Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole did not hesitate. We do not have enough flights within Africa. Most times, we first of all go to Casablanca, Morocco and it costs so much.”

He thanked Liberia ‘ s President, Mrs. Sirleaf Johnson for facilitating the operations.

He said the Liberian President was of the view that allowing Medview air services to Freetown would promote regional integration, trade and transform ECOWAS, with the choice of people moving freely from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Accra via Lagos.

His words, “I want to tell members of the media that we are trying to promote trade and the aviation industry promotes catalytical benefits. Leadership of ECOWAS are very happy with what is happening now. We look forward to having daily flight to Monrovia.”

For now, the airline would operate three weekly flights to Monrovia and Freetown which are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The MD of Medview, Muneer Bankole thanked the Liberian President for making it a reality, adding, “It is our joy to be here. We appreciate the Liberian Civil Aviation Authority for their support. This will enhance improvement in business activities. We assure our brothers and sisters that this will not be a one off thing. We want to remain here. We are going to employ Liberians and create jobs.”

President of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), Bankole Bernard said it is a good testimony of rebuilding integration of flights within West Africa which he admitted would strengthen business.

Managing Director of Medview Airlines cutting a cake with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Amb. Adebiyi Quest Modupeola during Medview’s inaugural flight services to Monrovia and Freetown

Pic from left Mr Bako Freeman,  Managing Director, Liberia Airport Authority,  Ambassador Tunde Ajisomo,  Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission in Liberia and  Alhaji Number Bankole,  MD/CEO, Medview Airline during the inaugural flight of the airline to Monrovia and Freetown via Accra at the Liberia International Airport presidential lounge in Monrovia,  Liberia on Tuesday.  Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Wole Shadare