At 8.04p.m. on Sunday, the South African Airways (SAA) flight touched down

at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos amid excitement from passengers.

This marked the return of SAA to the lucrative Johannesburg-Lagos route almost 21 months after the airline withdrew from the route.

Passengers were entertained by the Zulu dancers at the airline’s check-in counters.

South African Airways Commercial Manager for Africa, Ohis Ehimiaghe, told journalists he was excited by the development.

According to him, “December is a very interesting month as an airline. We are making a return back to the Nigerian skies after almost 21 months of not operating to Lagos.

“The flight touched down this evening and it was a very impressive flight and we were greeted with the usual water cannon by the airport authorities. It was awesome. It was very nice. It gave everybody goose pimples.”

He noted that in the face of the pandemic, Africa is opening up.

“Nigerians are excited to be part of the global economy as we usually say and South Africa is also excited to be part of it as well. These are the two biggest powerhouses for Africa and it can only get better.

“With the visit of the South African President to Nigeria two weeks ago, the relationship between the two countries is improving and it is going to be very high and we as South African Airways are part of the instrument to make investments, travels through visiting friends and families,” he added.