New entrant in the aviation sector ; Air Peace Limited has signed a multi million dollar aircraft maintenance and spares agreement pact with two United Kingdom firms; AJ Walters Aviation Limited and BTC Maintenance Aviation Limited for the seven aircraft in its fleet.
The Chairman Allen Onyema who made this known yesterday in Lagos, said the airline signed the deal as part of efforts to ensure the safety of its operations in an environment where the flying public is still grappling with issues of safety.
He said the airline, as part of its strategy to have the edge in the sector, has acquired both Boeing and Dornier jets to meet the needs of the market, by flying into secondary airports, pointing out that although the maintenance agreement is at a huge cost, “it demonstrates the amount of seriousness Air Peace attaches to safety.”
Onyeme stressed that the airline has zero tolerance for unsafe practices, hence the seriousness it attached to safety with the signing of the agreement with the two UK based companies, adding that he decided to set up the airline business to create jobs for Nigerians.
He said if his intention is to make money, he would leave his money in the banks where he would be paid double digit interest rate.
“It is about my vision to give back to the society the blessing God has given to me .I know that the aviation industry is a very turbulent industry not only in Nigeria but also worldwide, but I have to ask questions on how to contribute to the growth of my nation by creating jobs.
“Someone told me that one air plane could give about 100 people a job . So I decided to go into aviation because I want to create jobs and not because I want to make money. If I want to make money, I will leave my money in the banks. Nigerian banks give you double digit interest rates over 13 per cent and I will be making a lot of money sitting down in my house,” he said.
Speaking on why he opted for Dornier jet, Onyema said Air Peace chose Dornier aircraft because of it capabilities, adding that the aircraft can take off and also land on short runways.
He said: “We decided to bring in some Dornier jets because of their capabilities. Dornier is a very powerful jet, it can land in a very short runway and take off in a very short runway, yet it is still a jet. It can land at airports even when there are weather challenges.”
He said that Air Peace is into airline business not only to make a difference but to also provide passengers unparal-lelled safety and quality service to the satisfaction of passengers.
The airline, he said will deploy the Dornier aircraft for charter and scheduled flights on routes hitherto not operated by other airlines as a result of some challenges.
