Victor EzejaChairman and CEO of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, has said the airline is not interested in being designated as Nigeria’s national carrier.
Onyema said that all indigenous airlines are flag carriers and only need government support to be able to operate into any destination they can and make the country proud.
The Air Peace boss, who stated this when he appeared as a guest on Arise News Morning Show on Monday, said that in America, Britain, and other developed countries, what they have are flag carriers that are being supported by government.
“Yes, we need government support. All the Nigerian airlines need government support, however, on the issue of singling out Air Peace to be the national carrier, we are not interested,” Onyema stated.
He called on Nigerians to support the indigenous airlines to blossom.
“Let Nigeria support Indigenous airlines. We are all flag carriers, Air Peace is a flag carrier, Max Air is a flag carrier, Azman is a flag carrier. When you fly out of your country, you become a flag carrier
“In our own country, what we are pleading is for government support.”
READ ALSO: How Air Peace Lagos-London Flights’ll Force Foreign Airlines To Reduce Airfares- Expert
He urged the government to put in place, measures that enhance the ease of doing business for the indigenous airlines to operate.
He said the airlines encounter a lot of challenges on a daily basis and need significant support.
Prime Business Africa recalls that Air Peace launched its maiden direct flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Gatwick International Airport London on Saturday, 30 March 2024 with a 274-seat capacity Boeing 777.
According to Onyema, Air Peace currently operates seven weekly flights between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport (LOS).
The Air Peace boss said the company met all the requirements reeled out by the UK aviation authorities.
READ ALSO: Scam Alert: Air Peace Disclaims ‘Fake UK Website’
He said the entry of his airline has crashed prices of tickets on the route as other foreign airlines drastically reduced their prices within 24 hours after Air Peace opened its portal for ticket sales.
He thanked the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his role that led to the airline successfully getting the approval to begin the London flight service. He added that the trip the minister made to France recently was to secure a dry lease for the indigenous airlines to be able to operate to many destinations.
Lease Agreement With Norse Atlantic Airways
He also clarified the nature of the airline’s lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways.
A report two months ago said Norse Atlantic Airways and Air Peace, a Nigeria-based airline, signed an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) agreement, with the former operating routes on behalf of the latter between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Onyema said: “In the London operations, we are bringing in Norse Atlantic to partner with us as backup, not as the main act.”
He explained that the arrangement is for the airline to serve as backup to avoid disappointing passengers any day their aircraft designated for the route has an issue.
He said many foreign airlines do lease aircraft and it is not a problem.
He also stated that if allowed by the government to operate from Abuja to London, Air Peace is ready to do it as they are expecting more aircraft into the country.
Onyema also disclosed that the airline plans to begin flight operations into Houston towards the end of the year.
He expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their overwhelming support to the airline, especially since it launched the London flight service.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
