The government of Bayelsa State has taken a significant step toward enhancing regional connectivity and boosting its economy with the acquisition of two aircraft and the launch of a state-owned airline. On Wednesday, one of the aircraft landed in Bayelsa as the first official flight under the new service took off from Abuja.
At the arrival ceremony at the Bayelsa International Airport, the aircraft — an ATR-72/600 configured to carry 72 passengers and crew — received a water-cannon salute, a vivid symbol of the state’s renewed commitment to aviation infrastructure and mobility.
The flight carried Governor Douye Diri, along with senior government officials, lawmakers from the state’s National Assembly caucus, and Niger Delta stakeholders.
Governor Diri described the day as historic, marking the fulfillment of a long-held promise to give Bayelsa direct air links to other major Nigerian cities. “Today, that promise takes wing,” he said, declaring that the state has officially ventured into commercial aviation with the aim of boosting connectivity, commerce, and development for Bayelsans.
According to state officials, the newly acquired aircraft will operate scheduled flights between Yenagoa and major hubs such as Abuja and Lagos.
To manage the flights, Bayelsa has entered into a partnership with Pioneer Airlines, which will run the state-owned service — to be known as either “Air Bayelsa” or “Bayelsa Air.”
State officials argue that the move is more than symbolic: it is intended to make the Bayelsa International Airport fully functional and commercially viable, helping to attract investment, stimulate internal revenue generation, and improve access to remote parts of the state.
Speaking at the inauguration, key Niger Delta stakeholders — including representatives of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and regional traditional institutions — pledged support for the venture. They highlighted the potential benefits of regular air connectivity for commerce, governance, and social mobility across the region.
