At a recent media briefing at Air Peace’s Lagos headquarters, CEO Allen Onyema used the occasion to thank Nigerians for their support and loyalty. He was emphatic about the airline’s commitment to serving the country beyond commercial interests.
“Air Peace owes a duty to this country,” Onyema said, highlighting the airline’s record of deploying its fleet free of charge during the COVID-19 crisis. The company conducted several repatriation flights, including multiple trips to China to bring Nigerians home at no cost, as well as flights to Turkey to transport medical supplies for over 220 million citizens.
“These are things that deserve to be applauded by our nation, by everybody, including government agencies,” he insisted. Onyema argued that private businesses in Nigeria deserve support and appreciation, warning against the tendency to undermine indigenous enterprises out of ethnic or personal rivalries.
“Government alone cannot provide all the jobs,” he said. “Every nation is run by the private sector, with government providing the enabling environment.” He commended Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo for helping create such an environment and praised the government’s recent efforts to restore Nigeria’s aviation reputation after years of capacity and credibility challenges.
On Flight Delays and Public Perception
Onyema pushed back strongly against criticism over Air Peace’s flight disruptions, saying no airline cancels or delays flights for fun or profit.
“From every disruption, the airline loses instantly,” he said. He also called out what he described as a campaign of misinformation, including the recycling of old videos that appear to show stranded passengers.
He pointed to global aviation norms, noting that the majority of delays are outside airline control. “About 95 per cent of the causes of delays are not the fault of airlines,” he said, citing factors such as bad weather, infrastructure deficits, bird strikes, inadequate landing aids, congested airports, sunset restrictions, and even unruly passenger behaviour.
Such challenges, Onyema argued, remain a major obstacle to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector and need to be better understood by the public.
Expanding Regional and International Routes
Onyema outlined Air Peace’s ambitious route expansion plans, showcasing the airline’s growing regional and international footprint.
“Regionally, we are doing Douala, Dakar, Banjul, Abidjan, Monrovia, Accra, and Freetown,” he said. He added that plans were underway to add Congo and Libreville before year’s end, pending regulatory approvals.
On the international front, Onyema touted the success of the airline’s daily Lagos-London flights and revealed that Abuja-London services would launch in October. He announced proudly that British authorities had granted Air Peace access to Heathrow Airport, calling it a mark of trust in the airline’s safety record and professionalism.
“Come September, we will also start direct flights to the Caribbean nations, beginning with Antigua,” Onyema added, describing it as an effort to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their heritage.
Fleet Growth and Aircraft Acquisition Strategy
Air Peace’s ambitions are backed by a growing fleet. Onyema disclosed that the airline will soon take delivery of another Boeing 777, increasing its total 777 fleet to four.
He also credited the Nigerian government’s new support for dry leasing arrangements—a first for the country in over a decade—for making future wide-body acquisitions more viable. “When they start coming, Nigerian airlines will compete favourably with international airlines,” he said, arguing that such growth would help conserve scarce foreign exchange for Nigeria.
Why Airfares Cost What They Do
On the contentious issue of ticket prices, Onyema offered a detailed, even blunt, breakdown of costs.
He noted that aviation fuel in Nigeria sells for around ₦1,050 to ₦1,100 per litre. A Boeing 777 burns between 3,500 and 4,000 litres per hour, translating to about ₦5 million in fuel costs alone on a Lagos–Abuja leg.
“That’s before you factor in engine cycle costs, insurance, and lease charges,” he explained. Wet-leased aircraft can cost around $6,000 per hour (nearly ₦10 million at current rates). Adding other expenses can push the total operating cost of a flight to ₦18–20 million, leaving slim margins even if the plane is full.
He argued that Nigerian airfares remain among the lowest globally, especially when compared to average domestic US routes, which can cost over $500 despite vastly cheaper financing.
Call for Improved Airport Transit Facilities
Onyema also appealed to the Federal Government to create a true transit hub at Nigerian airports.
He described how, despite Air Peace flying to about ten African countries, passengers cannot currently transit smoothly through Nigerian airports without passing through immigration, customs, and quarantine.
“We want them to create this—even if it is for Air Peace, which is into international operations,” he said, arguing that such facilities are essential for Nigeria to become a true regional aviation hub.
Commitment to Nigeria Above All
Throughout the discussion, Onyema repeatedly returned to a central theme: Air Peace’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development and global image.
“Nothing will ever stop us from loving our nation,” he said. “Nothing will stop us from doing those things that will promote the well-being of every Nigerian.”
He urged Nigerians to support indigenous businesses and recognize their role in job creation and national pride, promising that Air Peace would continue to fly the Nigerian flag proudly, both at home and abroad.