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Tag: Air Peace

  • Air Peace’s milestone

    Air Peace’s milestone

    • Govt must learn useful lessons in dealing with foreign airlines in the country

    Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline, was founded in 2013 and joined the long list of private airlines like Aero Contractors, EAS airlines, Chachangi Airline, Arik, Oriental, ADC, etc. that sprang up on the ashes of the moribund former national carrier, Nigeria Airways.  It was founded in 1958 but collapsed a few years ago due to corruption and bad management. Many aviation experts insist that official ineptitude and careless handling of ‘government businesses’ led to the collapse of the national airline.

    Air Peace, since its maiden flight on the domestic route has grown considerably and is today the airline with the largest fleet and provides charter flights, flies to major airports across the country, some West and South African destinations, Europe, Asia, Middle East and the Caribbean. It claims to be getting ready to hit the North American markets too.

    However, of all its international destinations, none has been as celebrated by Nigerians home and abroad as its recent inaugural flight into London Gatwick Airport.  The Nigerian-London route is one of aviation’s most profitable routes. According to the Chairman and Chief Executive of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, a lawyer and a businessman, negotiations for  the route have been a long process and he had initially negotiated for any of London’s prime airports like Heathrow 2, 3, 4 or 5, but having been unsuccessful has had to accept the Gatwick option.

    The maiden Air Peace Lagos –London Gatwick Airport flight was on March 30, 2024, and it was fully booked and successfully executed to the delight of many Nigerians. This milestone is commendable because the entrance of the airline to the route changed the aviation dynamics of the most lucrative route in aviation, according to Onyema. 

    The airline had announced its ticket fares which was N4 million and N1.2 million for business and economy classes, respectively. They are equally in addition offering an additional 15% student rebate for all Nigerian students abroad. This, he said, would help families reunite with their children that have been prevented from coming come for holidays due to the high cost of tickets.

    We commend the magnanimity of the management of the airline for considering the welfare of Nigerians with their new fares. This again has been in line with the airline’s philanthropic gestures to Nigerians across the world in times of conflict, like during start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and even at the height of the Sudanese conflict in 2023, even when faced with the dangers to its aircraft and crew trying to airlift Nigerians.

    The fact that the announcement of the fares to London forced the two British flag carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airlines to crash their fares that had for long stood at N13-15 million and N3-5 million for business and economy class tickets, respectively, to London from Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. Nigerians never knew that such a price adjustment was possible. This is one value of breaking a seeming monopoly and empowering indigenous businesses. This has exposed a lot for our government to be more alert and to act in the interest of Nigerians.

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    The reported experiences of the management of Air Peace in the aviation industry must force some government introspection. Aviation industry is one of the most globally regulated. The Nigerian government must wake up from lethargic indulgences to always fully activate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) which guides aviation operators and guarantees justice, equity, balance of trade and respect for the sovereignty of nations.

    Air Peace must not be allowed to go the route of Bellview, Arik and

     Medview airlines, some of the Nigerian airlines that had been forced into the Gatwick airport destination and were additionally frustrated into bankruptcy, while other airlines feed fat from the Nigerian travelling public that are some of the most widely travelled in the world. The government must demand equity and justice and the ministries of foreign affairs, trade and investment and aviation must work in sync to get justice not just for Air Peace but for many prospective investors in the industry.

    Aviation is a multi-trillion dollar investment sector with diverse value chain. The business is forex-based, it creates multiplicity of jobs through investment in culture, tourism, entertainment, hospitality, creative economy, and the general ease of movement of humans, commerce and ideas. Any one job created by an indigenous operator is a plus for a country with a very high unemployment statistics.   

    We commend the Federal Government for the interventions so far for the successful inaugural flight of Air Peace to London. However, the battle is not over yet, so there must be policy re-evaluation and strict implementation. The concerned ministries must be active to detect any acts of sabotage as has been alleged that some civil servants are not always as patriotic as expected. On the part of Air Peace, we urge caution and great service that is of international standards as the only way to remain competitive and market the brand.

  • Triumph of Air Peace

    Triumph of Air Peace

    Air Peace, the Nigeria’s flag carrier commenced Lagos-London flight services last Saturday March 30 after seven years of test of endurance. Allen Onyema, the airline chief executive officer (CEO) deserves accolades for a hard-won victory which has also been hailed by many as victory for Nigeria and Nigerian air travellers.

    And to discerning Nigerians, it cannot be anything less.  To those who are passionate about our country, it is a victory over swindling of Nigeria of about N3.7 billion annually by foreign airlines including British Airways that was by 2014 charging non-competitive fare of $10,070 for a First Class return seat from Abuja to London while the same facility through Accra costs $4, 943. It is also a relief for Nigerians relieved of the burden of having to travel to Ghana, South Africa or Morocco in search of cheap foreign airline tickets. It is also hoped this victory will bring into a closure ex-minister, Stella Oduah’s battle against deliberate violation of Nigeria’s aviation laws by foreign airlines.

    And for those who have faith in our country, it is also a victory over local powers and principalities who cannot stand the success of their fellow compatriots but will rather cooperate with outsiders to kill their own “sun’ (apologies to Saro Wiwa) whether he be Chinua Achebe’s Okonkwo, Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Congo’s Patrice Lumumba or Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo.

    The betrayal by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as narrated by Onyema during his ARISE TV interview was despicable.  And no less repulsive was the complicity of corrupt bureaucrats in the  avoidable  frittering away of N200m by Air Peace to secure the services of consultancy firms from IATA just as  the action of unpatriotic government officials  who deliberately derailed the commencement of services operations long after the Nigerian flag carrier had  “actually procured their three-triple seven because of this route’,  because they wanted to give it the blow that it deserved at that time” cannot be anything but loathsome.

    Onyema also did not forget to remind us of the international aero-politics which he admitted while speaking with ARISE Television on Monday, can be very dirty. He must  have been referring to having to clear his name over U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia’s  November 22, 2019 press release alleging fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts out of which ‘over $3 million of the funds used to purchase the aircraft allegedly came from bank accounts for Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Centre for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, and Every Child Limited.’. Added to this international conspiracy was the Gatwick authorities’ unusual demand of non-refundable 20 million pounds deposit, before Air Peace could start operation”.

    Last Saturday victory lap was anchored by Onyema who took a leading position in the private airline operators’ battle against government’s proposed national carrier they argued was detrimental to the survival of airline local operators.

    Buhari had in 2014 disclosed that President Jonathan fleet of about 11 aircrafts would form the nucleus of his planned national carrier.  It was not until July 18, 2018, that “the name, logo, colour scheme, structure, and types of airplanes of Nigeria’s national carrier were unveiled at Farnborough International Public Air show in London”. There we were informed about $308.8m had been set aside to cover aircraft acquisition and running costs for the airline’s take-off, with five of the projected 30 aircraft needed expected in Nigeria by December 19 2014. The new national carrier, we were told would operate 40 domestic, regional and sub-regional and 41 international routes. And that it would be a private sector driven ‘Nigeria Air’ in which government would own only 5% with Nigerians owing 46 per cent equity, while 49 per cent shares were reserved for strategic foreign investors.

    Unfortunately, Buhari had credibility deficit especially with Hadi Sirika last minute stampeding of Air Ethiopia as favoured strategic partners on terms the current minister whose official report is yet to be released said was unfavourable to Nigeria,

    Nigerians derived little joy from government past interference in the activities of the airlines especially the Stella Oduah’s ‘N330b Aviation Intervention Fund meant to address the financial challenges faced by airlines in the country” with N232.6b of it paid to 21 participating banks.  But records as at 2015, when Jonathan left government, showed that domestic airlines like Arik, Aero and Air Nigeria whose managing director led the crusade and got N35.5 billion government bail-out were owing AMCON over $700m debt

    The mishandling of Nigerian Airways, Virgin Nigeria, Nigerian National Shipping Line, the four public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, of Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Company, Nigeria Railways Corporation” NEPA PHCN, banks oil companies, insurance, hospitality industry only increased Nigerians apprehensiveness about involvement of government in setting up of a national carrier or involvement of government in any business for that matter.

     And counting in favour of anti-national carrier, domestic airline operators and Air Peace this time around is the fact that they are not asking for government bailout. Their battle cry is that past government interference had been a disaster.

    But while we celebrate the success of Air Piece and the triumph of domestic airline operators, it is important to remind Nigerians youths who lack a sense of history and the rest of Nigerians, who often suffer from collective amnesia, that there is nothing wrong with public enterprises. The problem was with our ill trained military men and their thieving new breed politicians

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    Our founding fathers following in the footsteps of Europe adopted the Keynesian macroeconomic model which supports government intervention for the purpose of national development instead of depending on market economy to liberate our people from poverty.  And this paid off as most of the public enterprises established by our founding fathers brought rapid development until after the civil war.  For that season, public enterprises formed the backbone of our economy. In fact, it was the golden era of Nigeria when the naira was as strong as pound sterling and stronger than the dollar with Nigeria giving interest free loans to some African and European nations. Up to 1983, estacode for those visiting Britain who by the way needed no visa, was N500 (five hundred naira).

    Our nightmare started with Babangida’s ill-advised commercialization and Structural Adjustment Programme which saw many thriving federal and state-owned public enterprises sold to retired military personnel and their fronts who were never equipped to run such enterprises. Obasanjo and his military baked new breed politicians completed this betrayal when from 1999, they sold Nigeria’s total investment of about $100 billion acquired between 1959 and 1999 for a paltry $1.5 billion.

    From then on, public enterprises became the scape goat to cover up the greed of politicians. It was used as an excuse by politicians without vision to justify underfunding of public universities to allow those who have access to state funds set up their own private universities, sabotage public water supply, the mainstay of our urban centres in the 60s and 70s to pave the  way for a regime of private water merchants  and to destroy Nigerian Airways to justify the setting up of Albarka, Okada, Oriental, Concord, Harka, EAS, Triad, Harco, Savannah, Bellview, ADC airlines their today’s reincarnations.

    Onyema, like Dangote and other members of their tribe might be good corporate citizens, always aiding Nigerians in distress, celebrating Falcons, after victory and flying our national colours. But at the end, he is profit-driven business man running aviation business, perhaps one of the most sophisticated businesses in the world. He has to recoup costs of all the aircrafts he claims to own while the aircrafts must be certified globally.

    Onyema is not into charity. He is in business to make money. And making money under market economy means taking advantage of the less privileged that our abandoned public enterprises were designed to protect.

  • We are working on Abuja-London, Houston, New York routes — Air Peace CEO

    We are working on Abuja-London, Houston, New York routes — Air Peace CEO

    Air Peace Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allen Onyema has announced the airline is prepared to start flights to New York and Houston by the end of 2024 and also offer flights from Abuja to London.

    He announced this in an interview with Arise Television on Monday.

    The airline’s CEO said the company is in the process of acquiring more aircraft for this purpose.

    Onyema said Air Peace is prepared to take on more flights, adding that seven flights were going into Gatwick Airport from Nigeria daily.

    According to him: “We are doing seven daily flights into Gatwick. Nigeria has a balance of about fourteen to do. We are ready, if the government gives us Abuja-London, I will do it, because we are expecting more aircraft into the country purchased by Air Peace. If we get it, we will do it.

    “Like, we are planning to hit New York or Houston towards the end of the year, because we are bringing in more 777s. As I speak to you, my staff, they’re in California, the engineering technical services department;

    Read Also: Keyamo commends Air Peace as airline launches Lagos-London flight

    “…they’re in California inspecting some three 777s we want to acquire, we want to buy. So, if we could get them in the next two or three months, then of course, we are good to go anywhere.”

    Onyema also expressed some of the struggles the airlines faced in trying to achieve the long-awaited Lagos-London flights.

    He said: “You suffer what I call both internal and external conspiracies. It took us seven years. We got the designation I think about six and a half years ago to go into London. Since then, it has been Cat-and-Mouse game.

  • Keyamo commends Air Peace as airline launches Lagos-London flight

    Keyamo commends Air Peace as airline launches Lagos-London flight

    Nigerians have commended Air Peace for its successful inaugural flight from Lagos to London on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with a high figure of 260 passengers, marking the resumption of flight service since 2019 by an indigenous carrier to one of the most lucrative routes from the country.

    The airline, which operated a 274-seat capacity Boeing 777 for the maiden flight, held a brief ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (New Terminal) to celebrate the occasion.

    Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion include the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, the Chairman and CEO of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), former Director General of NCAA, board member of Air Peace, Benedict Adeyileka and many others.

    Many of the passengers on the Air Peace flight to London said the flight was long awaited and it signaled a new dawn in the travel industry in Nigeria, adding that Air Peace is a Nigerian project and Nigerians should be commended for making this possible.

    “It’s a new dawn for travellers. We are tired of exploitative fares charged by foreign carriers. Air Peace is changing the narrative to air travel with this maiden flight. We see that fares are gradually reducing since Air Peace announced flight to London. This is good for air travel and Nigeria,” Tony Ike, a passenger on the flight said.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Keyamo who was obviously elated by the result of the hard work and commitment he and others in government had made to pave way for the airline to begin operations to London, promised that the Federal Government would continue to protect the airline and other Nigerian carriers that might want to operate international service.

    He said the commencement of direct Lagos-London route by Air Peace would ease the pressure on naira, while the demand for foreign exchange by Nigerians and foreign airlines would reduce.

    Keyamo explained that the start of the route by the airline had also compelled some mega carriers on the Lagos-London route to drop fares and assured of government support.

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite described the feat by Air Peace as the convergence of innovation, determination, and the unwavering commitment to excellence.

    “Nigeria has needed a local airline flying directly to the UK for a number of years. Air Peace proudly wears the badge of Made in Nigeria. It is a symbol of our collective effort to showcase our capabilities to the world. From the skilled hands that maintain the aircraft to the warm smiles of the cabin crew, every aspect of Air Peace reflects the spirit of our nation.

    Read Also: Air Peace announces N1.2m for London route

    “Let us reflect on the economic impact of this flight. Air Peace’s presence in London is not merely about arrivals and departures; it is about trade, investment, and collaboration. By choosing Air Peace, you choose to invest in Nigeria. You choose to empower local businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. In December 2023, the UK exported £185 million to Nigeria and imported £154 million, resulting in a negative trade balance of £30.8 million. This is a trend we wish to change in Nigeria’s favour and an additional trade route is a major step in the right direction,” she said.

    She said the choice of Nigerians to fly with Air Peace is a vote of confidence, adding that the airline has a commendable safety record, holding a 7 out of 7 safety rating according to Airline Ratings and has successfully undergone the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification four times, signifying its commitment to rigorous safety standards.

    “So I entreat all potential passengers to trust them to carry you safely across continents, and remember that you are part of a movement—a movement that encourages Nigerians to patronize their own. Let us be ambassadors in the skies, sharing stories of our rich heritage, our vibrant culture, and the warmth that defines us,” Uzoka-Anite added.

    Similarly, Capt. Chris Najomo, the Ag. Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA), insisted that for indigenous airlines to succeed on any international routes, it was necessary for the government to adopt the Fly Nigeria Act for public officials.

    Also, he promised that the apex regulatory body would support Air Peace and other indigenous airlines to succeed on international routes unlike in the past.

  • Air Peace announces N1.2m for London route

    Air Peace announces N1.2m for London route

    Air Peace has announced N1.2 million on its London route for Economy class effective from March 30.

    A statement by the airline’s Corporate Communications Lead, Mr Stanley Olisa also said Business class tickets can be got for N4 million.

    According to the statement, “The flight schedules for Air Peace London route are now available on our website, and we are crashing the price of flight tickets.

    Read Also: Air Peace mulls students’ fare on London route

    “A return economy class ticket goes for N1.2 million, while a return business class ticket sells for N4 million. Nigerians studying in the United Kingdom can also now access their special 15 percent rebate on the already reduced economy fares.”

    The airline had announced a special fare for Nigerian students in the UK when it hosted travel agents in Lagos in preparation for the launch of the London route.

    Olisa also disclosed that London would be the airline’s seventh international destination since kicking off operations, almost 10 years ago.

  • Lessor, Air Peace seal London operations deal

    Lessor, Air Peace seal London operations deal

    Norse Atlantic Airways and Air Peace have entered a leasing agreement to undertake its proposed flights into Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom next month.

    The deal, according to the airline, will cover all aspects of leasing, including aircraft, crew, maintenance, and Insurance charter service, christened in aviation parlance as (ACMI).

    The collaboration, according to a statement by Air Peace spokesman, Mr Stanley Olisa, marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at providing air travel solutions between London and Lagos.

    Commencing in April 2024, the ACMI charter will operate four times weekly, offering travellers convenient and reliable transportation options between these key destinations.

    Norse Atlantic Airways, Olisa added, will be using slots at London Gatwick allocated to Air Peace to facilitate this new route.

    Read Also: Air Peace mulls students’ fare on London route

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Norse Atlantic Airways, Bjorn Tore Larsen said:  “We are thrilled to be working with Air Peace to launch this ACMI charter service between London Gatwick and Lagos.

    This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to leverage our expertise in charter operations to deliver a reliable and high-quality service to Air Peace and their customers.”

    On his part, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said: “Air Peace is delighted to have signed this partnership deal with Norse Atlantic Airways for the commencement of our London service. As we make a foray into the European market, we are confident that this strategic partnership will further position us to surpass the expectations of our customers, offering them superior air travel experience while we continue to optimise our operations for more innovative service delivery.

    “Norse Atlantic and Air Peace will continue to discuss potential longer-term partnerships between the two airlines to explore avenues for further collaboration and expansion in the future.”

  • Air Peace mulls students’ fare on London route

    Air Peace mulls students’ fare on London route

    Air Peace airlines has disclosed that when it commences its London route, there would be special student fares which will be affordable for students traveling to study.

    Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, disclosed this yesterday  during the Airline’s travel agents forum for the London launch  in Lagos.

    Onyema who called on travel agents to manage the special student fares so that it is not abused by passengers, said this fares will make it easy and affordable for students to travel during holidays and school resumption period.

    “Several parents have been disconnected from their children. Many students have not been home for over two years because their parents cannot afford return fares to London.”

    Parents will no longer suffer to raise money for fares for their children because the student fares will be affordable for all parents,” he assured.

    “My children all schooled abroad and we insist that they return to Nigeria during their school breaks no matter how short. This is to enable us remain connected to our children and ensure they stick to our values and culture. I know this is also the desire of several other parents but this desire has been cut short because of high fares.

    “This narrative will changed as soon as Air Peace resumes flights to London,” the chairman assured.

    Onyema said the Air Peace London route was borne out of his love for Nigeria and to put an end to high fares from Nigeria to London and back.

    “I am not interested in politics. This is not about going to London. It is about giving Nigerians the best option and yielding to the yearnings of Nigerians. I set up Air Peace to create jobs for Nigerians,” he said. He also promised to make commissions for travel agents unified.

    However, Onyema who did not reveal how much fares Air Peace will charge on London route, but assured that the fares will be cheaper than what legacy airlines are charging.

    Checks show that currently, the cheapest economy class return ticket from Nigeria to London cost about N1.6 million.

    Air fares in the last two years rose by over 400 per cent as a result of accumulating trapped funds of foreign airlines in Nigeria caused by the foreign exchange crisis.

     The Central Bank of Nigeria directed banks to remove the cap on the investors and exporters’ (I&E) window of the fore market to allow for the free float of naira exchange rate.

    Last year, Nigeria officially floated its naira currency after years of sticking with a hard peg that spooked investors and drained dollars from the economy.

    Recalled that since two years now, airlines blocked low ticket inventories, leaving high inventories to be sold in naira only while the low ticket inventories on most airlines’ websites can only be bought with dollar cards only. This was in a bid to cushion the effect of their trapped funds in Nigeria.

    Bankole Bernard, chairman of Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) who also spoke at the event said Air Peace London flight is a welcome idea, especially as Nigeria would now have its own carrier creating balance of trade which is not tilted to one side.

    “There will be a bit of balance. Air Peace has been given a daily slot to Gatwick which amounts to seven frequencies, compared to 21 frequencies that the legacy airlines have; 14 in Lagos and seven in Abuja. To an extend, we have something that will balance it up.

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    “Air Peace is not going to be faced with challenges of foreign exchange because the fares will be in naira. It is a welcome idea for travel agents and Nigeria as a whole. We appeal to Air Peace to try it’s best to sustain the London route. We are willing to give them all the support to ensure this is successful. With Air Peace, travel agents envisage a 50 percent fare reduction,” Bernard said.

    Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide during her speech at the event said the London route means a lot to Air Peace for several reasons and a major one is that it marks its historic entry into thrive European continent.

    Olajide said the service will be operated with the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the skies. She also said the airline will be launching with special promo fares and attractive plans for agents.

    “Operating daily, this service will also offer several other benefits which give Air Peace an edge over the competition. It’s a direct flight without stop-overs and offers unbeatable fares. The specifics of these offers and other Unique Selling Points will be presented as this engagement progresses. We want you to know that Air Peace’s operational expansion and milestones are driven by our ambition to continually connect cities and ease the burden of air travel while fostering economic prosperity across nations,” she added.

  • Air Peace to announce special students’ fare to London

    Air Peace to announce special students’ fare to London

    Air Peace airlines has announced that upon the commencement of its London route, special student fares will be available, making it affordable for students traveling for educational purposes. 

    This announcement was made by Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace, during the airline’s travel agents forum for the London launch in Lagos on Thursday.

    Onyema who called on travel agents to manage the special student fares so that it is not abused by passengers, said this fares will make it easy and affordable for students to travel during holidays and school resumption period. 

    He said: “Several parents have been disconnected from their children. Many students have not been home for over two years because their parents cannot afford return fares to London. Parents will no longer suffer to raise money for fares for their children because the student fares will be affordable for all parents. 

    “My children all schooled abroad and we insist that they return to Nigeria during their school breaks no matter how short. This is to enable us remain connected to our children and ensure they stick to our values and culture. I know this is also the desire of several other parents but this desire has been cut short because of high fares. 

    “This narrative will changed as soon as Air Peace resumes flights to London,” the chairman assured. 

    Onyema said the Air Peace London route was borne out of his love for Nigeria and to put an end to high fares from Nigeria to London and back. 

    “I am not interested in politics. This is not about going to London. It is about giving Nigerians the best option and yielding to the yearnings of Nigerians. I set up Air Peace to create jobs for Nigerians,” he said. 

    He also promised to make commissions for travel agents unified. 

    However, Onyema who did not reveal how much fares Air Peace will charge on London route, but assured that the fares will be cheaper than what legacy airlines are charging. 

    Checks show that currently, the cheapest economy class return ticket from Nigeria to London cost about N1.6million naira. 

    Air fares in the last two years has risen by over 400 percent as a result of accumulating trapped funds of foreign airlines in Nigeria caused by the foreign exchange rate. 

     The CBN has directed banks to remove the cap on the investors and exporters’ (I&E) window of the fore market to allow for the free float of naira exchange rate.

    Last year, Nigeria officially floated its naira currency after years of sticking with a hard peg that spooked investors and drained dollars from the economy.

    Recalled that since two years now, airlines blocked low ticket inventories, leaving high inventories to be sold in naira only while the low ticket inventories on most airlines’ websites can only be bought with dollar cards only. This was in a bid to cushion the effect of their trapped funds in Nigeria.

    Bankole Bernard, chairman of Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) who also spoke at the event said Air Peace London flight is a welcome idea, especially as Nigeria would now  have its own carrier creating balance of trade which is not tilted to one side. 

    “There will be a bit of balance. Air Peace has been given a daily slot to Gatwick which amounts to seven frequencies, compared to 21 frequencies that the legacy airlines have; 14 in Lagos and seven in Abuja. To an extend, we have something that will balance it up. 

    “Air Peace is not going to be faced with challenges of foreign exchange because the fares will be in naira. It is a welcome idea for travel agents and Nigeria as a whole. We appeal to Air Peace to try it’s best to sustain the London route. We are willing to give them all the support to ensure this is successful. With Air Peace, travel agents envisage a 50 percent fare reduction,” Bernard said.

    Oluwatoyin Olajide, chief operating officer, Air Peace during her speech at the event said the London route means a lot to Air Peace for several reasons and a major one is that it marks its historic entry into thhve European continent. 

    Read Also: Air Peace gets approval to fly into New York

    Olajide said the service will be operated with the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the skies. 

    She also said the airline will be launching with special promo fares and attractive plans for agents. 

    She noted: “Operating daily, this service will also offer several other benefits which give Air Peace an edge over the competition. It’s a direct flight without stop-overs and offers unbeatable fares. The specifics of these offers and other Unique Selling Points will be presented as this engagement progresses.

    “We want you to know that Air Peace’s operational expansion and milestones are driven by our ambition to continually connect cities and ease the burden of air travel while fostering economic prosperity across nations.”

  • Air Peace gets approval to fly into New York

    Air Peace gets approval to fly into New York

    The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has given the green light to Air Peace for international flights to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, US.

    This decision comes after Air Peace submitted a request to the ministry on January 12, 2024, seeking approval for flights to New York.

    In a letter dated February 9, 2024, the ministry, represented by director H.T. Ejibunu, conveyed the approval to Air Peace. The letter, referencing number FMA/ATMD/0186/S.5/X/696, highlighted that the approval aligns with the existing ‘Open Skies’ agreement between Nigeria and the United States.

    The letter stated, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 12, 2024, on the above subject and convey the minister’s approval for the designation of Air Peace Limited to operate commercial international flights into and out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States of America.”

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    Air Peace was advised to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States for necessary documentation before commencing operations. The airline was also instructed to comply with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) 2023 part 18.5.11 and liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fulfill requirements.

    Currently, Air Peace operates regional and international flights. Some of the airline’s routes include Cameroon (Douala), Gambia, Ghana (Accra), Liberia (Monrovia), Senegal (Dakar), Sierra Leone, Togo, India, South Africa (Johannesburg), and Cote d’Ivoire and now US.

  • Air Peace gets approval to fly into New York

    Air Peace gets approval to fly into New York

    The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has given the green light to Air Peace for international flights to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, USA. 

    This decision comes after Peace submitted a request on January 12, 2024, seeking approval for flights to New York.

    In a letter dated February 9, 2024, the Ministry, represented by Director H.T. Ejibunu, conveyed the approval to Peace. 

    The letter, referencing number FMA/ATMD/0186/S.5/X/696, said the approval aligns with the existing ‘Open Skies’ agreement between Nigeria and the United States.

    It reads: “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 12, 2024, on the above subject and convey the minister’s approval for the designation of Air Peace Limited to operate commercial international flights into and out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States of America.”

    Air Peace was advised to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States for necessary documentation before commencing operations. 

    Read Also: Air Peace connects Abidjan

    The airline was also instructed to comply with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) 2023 part 18.5.11 and liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fulfill requirements.

    Air Peace operates regional and international flights. Some of the airline’s routes include Cameroon (Douala), Gambia, Ghana (Accra), Liberia (Monrovia), Senegal (Dakar), Sierra Leone, Togo, India, South Africa (Johannesburg), and Cote d’ivoire.