Bayelsa Airline to run daily flights on Yenagoa–Lagos–Abuja, Niger Delta — Mgt
The Managing Director of Bayelsa Airport Limited, Air Vice-Marshal Nelson Calmday (rtd), says the newly launched Bayelsa-owned airline is set to transform air travel within the Niger Delta by offering daily flight operations across major routes, including Yenagoa–Lagos, Yenagoa–Abuja, and key destinations within the region.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Bayelsa Airport in Amassoma on Thursday, Calmday said the new airline would play a central role in advancing aviation services and improving connectivity for residents and businesses.
He disclosed that the two recently acquired aircraft will be leased to Pioneer Airlines Limited, the operator responsible for running the commercial flights.
“The routes we are establishing will cover the entire Niger Delta area,” he said. “We have destinations such as Port Harcourt, Osubi–Warri, Uyo, and Calabar, in addition to Lagos and Abuja, which fall outside the region.”
Calmday confirmed that the airline aims to maintain daily operations, adding that some flights may be merged on days with low passenger turnout.
He, however, expressed confidence that patronage would grow steadily once travellers gain assurance of consistent scheduling.
“Many passengers from Bayelsa currently travel to Port Harcourt to board flights because of uncertainty in flight availability,” he explained.
“Once we establish reliability through daily operations, customers will return, and patronage will stabilise.”
On staffing, the Managing Director stated that Bayelsa Airport Limited was already adequately staffed and does not plan to embark on new recruitment.
He noted, however, that Pioneer Airlines has completed its own recruitment process for essential flight and ground personnel.
“They have hired pilots, cabin crew, cabin engineers, onboard engineers, and ticketing staff, who have all undergone the necessary basic training,” he said.
