Keyamo leads praises as Air Peace launches Lagos-London operations

Alice Onyema (fifth from left), vice chairman, Air Peace; Allen Onyema (sixth from left), chairman, Air Peace; Festus Keyamo (ninth from left), minister of aviation and aerospace development; flanked by crew members during Air Peace’s inaugural Lagos-London flight ceremony marking the airline’s entry into the European continent held at the new terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, recently

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

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 Muhammed International Airport (New Terminal) to celebrate the occasion.

Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion included Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development; Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of industry, trade and investment; Chris Najomo, acting director general, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Obiora Okonkwo, chairman and chief executive officer, United Nigeria Airlines; Olubunmi Kuku, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Benedict Adeyileka, former director general, NCAA, and board member, Air Peace, and many others.

Many of the passengers on the Air Peace flight to London who spoke to reporters said the flight was long awaited and that it signalled 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 a flight to London. This is good for air travel and Nigeria,” Tony Ike, a passenger on the flight said.

Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, 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.

Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of industry, trade and investment, 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.

“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 patronise 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, Chris Najomo, the acting 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.