Air Peace to Introduce Special Student Fares on London Route

As Air Peace commences direct flight services between its base at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to Gatwick International Airport in London, the airline has introduced special airfares for students on the route.

Air Peace is scheduled to start services to London on March 31, 2024.

The start of the service would further deepen competition on the London route, while Air Peace becomes the only Nigerian airline to operate the route in the last five years.

Already, two United Kingdom carriers; British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways operate the Nigerian route, flying into Lagos and Abuja.

Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, speaking during the airline’s travel agents forum for the London launch  in Lagos, said that the airline wanted to make the airfares affordable for students studying in the United Kingdom.

Onyema also called on travel agents to manage the special student fares so that it is not abused by passengers.

“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 declared that 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.

He also explained that the entry of the airline on the London route would give the flying public more choices, assuring that the airline would introduce cheaper fares to the passengers on the route.

He reiterated that he set up the airline about a decade ago in order to create jobs for teeming Nigerians.

Besides, Onyema promised to provide competitive commissions for travel agents, but  was silent on the airfares cost to the route.

However, searches by Daily Independent revealed that air tickets between Nigeria and United Kingdom is between N1.5 million to N2.5 million, depending on the airline and time of booking.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Bankole Bernard, Chairman of Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said Air Peace London flight was a welcome idea, especially as Nigerians 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,”  he said.

Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Air Peace, in her speech at the event said the London route meant a lot to Air Peace for several reasons.

She said that the route marked its historic entry into the European market.

Olajide explained that the service would be operated with the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft and the B787 Dreamliner aircraft, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the skies.

She also said the airline would 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.

February 24, 2024