Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, Dr. Allen Onyema, has applauded the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for transformative interventions in the aviation sector, particularly the facilitation of dry leasing opportunities for indigenous carriers.
Speaking during a press briefing at the airline’s Lagos office on Wednesday, Onyema highlighted that, for the first time in over a decade, Nigerian airlines can now access dry leasing arrangements—thanks to the implementation of the Cape Town Convention Practice under Tinubu’s administration.
This, he said, has lifted the previous blacklist imposed on Nigeria by global lessors.
“This development has opened a new window for local operators to acquire aircraft through dry lease arrangements, something that was not possible before,” Onyema stated. “It allows Nigerian carriers to compete on a more level playing field with foreign airlines, conserves foreign exchange, and is expected to drive a reduction in airfares.”
He also praised the federal government’s support in providing modern bird and wildlife control equipment at airports nationwide—an important safety measure that he said will enhance flight operations.
According to Onyema, these and other ongoing reforms are already creating a more conducive operating environment for indigenous airlines, signalling renewed confidence in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Onyema said, “President Tinubu is a detribalized leader who listens to airline operators and other indigenous business investors on how to grow the country’s economy. He has open ears to listen to everyone. This is the attraction I have for him, the reason I appreciate his leadership. President Tinubu is making use of the diversity of talents, expertise to deepen governance. Tinubu is deliberate in promoting oneness and unity of the country, especially those who deploy their resources to create jobs for Nigerians. This is the reason I appreciate Tinubu, so we must support our own.
“Tinubu’s administration has brought about the ease of doing business, indigenous airlines are enjoying during his tenure, through the interventions put in place by the Ministry of Aviation. We thank the President for bringing Festus Keyamo to the aviation sector, and the administration has done well for the aviation industry. Tinubu’s administration has stepped out to assist indigenous airlines, so much so that Nigeria is beginning to have opportunities for aircraft dry leasing; this has not happened in the last ten years, when Nigeria was blacklisted. The interventions brought about by the Tinubu administration are changing the perception of the global community about Nigeria. That is the reason we will continue to support the Tinubu administration to drive the growth of air transportation in Nigeria.”
He, however, said the Federal Government could do more by providing transit facilities at airports to connect regional and international flights.
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He said, “This will assist in streamlining our operations to reduce check-in bottlenecks and serve as a feeder for our operations. This will boost duty-free activities and generate more revenue.
Meanwhile, Air Peace has announced the commencement of Abuja to Heathrow Airport in London on Oct. 26 after receiving approval from the British authority.
Onyema disclosed that the grant was a result of the confidence the international aviation community has in the airline.
He also announced that before the end of the year, the airline would add Congo, Gabon and Brazzaville to its schedule.
Onyema said that the flights from Abuja to London Heathrow would be four times weekly, with
Lagos to London Gatwick three times daily.
He also said there would be direct flights to the Caribbean, particularly Antigua, in September and later, to Barbados.
The airline boss assured increased fleet capacity of Boeing 777, wide-bodied aircraft acquisition as a result of the dry lease financing, among other new aircraft, to match the schedules.
According to him, the airline has 36 outrightly purchased aircraft and four on wet lease, with new aircraft expected soon.
He assured passengers of on-time services, saying, “Since May 12, we have posted over 85 per cent on-time performance.
“For the new Air Peace you are about to see, we assure our passengers of on-time services, and we are upgrading our Customer Service.”
On flight delays and cancellations, Onyema said 94 per cent were not caused by the airline but external forces.
He identified the causes as: weather, infrastructure, bird strikes, inadequate landing equipment, sunset airports, unruly passengers, animal strikes, among others.
He explained that “in the last five years, we recorded 100 bird strikes; this year alone, over 30 bird strikes, these strikes will affect other flights scheduled for that day.
“We do not cancel for the fun of it, we cancel when necessary”, he said.
Onyema noted that the airline has international validations because of its safety measures.
He also announced that the airline would restart China routes soon, as well as other regional and international routes.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for ensuring ease of doing business in the industry.
He added that “the sector had never had it so good, as Nigeria would soon take delivery of dry lease aircraft as a result of the doggedness of the minister.”
He expressed the hope that Nigerians would patronise and support the airline.
