Date: 2017-06-25

One of Nigeria's top airlines, Medview, has reportedly concluded plans to begin flight operations in Ilorin, Kwara State capital as part of its domestic route expansion.

The development came to light at a meeting between Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 23.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Ahmed commended the management of Medview Airlines for its interest in including Ilorin in its expansion plans. He said the route is strategic due to the state's unique location as a gateway to the north and south, emerging economic hub of the North Central as well as the growing population of the State.

In adding to the Medview expansion to Ilorin, the Governor said the State government is also in talks with Nigerian aviation authorities to make the Ilorin Aviation Cargo Terminal the cargo hub for the 2017 Hajj operations.

ALSO READ: Gov Ahmed releases 1st and 2nd quarter allocation to institutions The proposed hub will service pilgrims from the five neighboring states of Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Kogi in partnership with Medview Airlines.

In his remarks, Medview Airlines boss, Alhaji Bankole said the new Lagos-Ilorin-Kano-Abuja route, when operational, will take advantage of increased passenger traffic in the axis, as well provide passengers from the five neighboring states an opportunity to benefit from improved access to Medview flight links including Lagos, Abuja, Yola, Kano, Kaduna and Maiduguri.