Air Peace’s growth proves Nigeria’s potential in global aviation, says Festus Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said Air Peace’s strong performance in the aviation industry is a testament to Nigeria’s global aviation potential.

The minister made this disclosure at the 10th-anniversary celebration of Air Peace held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

Keyamo commended Air Peace, the leading airline in Nigeria and the West African subregion, for its world-class operations, which have continued to elevate the country’s standing in the global aviation industry. He assured that the federal government would continue to extend its support and backing to the airline to ensure its success.

The minister gave the commendation and assurance:
“Air Peace is a proud ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a government, we are proud to support our local airlines. We are proud to support Air Peace in particular because it flies our flag very high all over the world,” the minister said.

“They’re rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest airlines in the world and that is from a local entrepreneur here so they deserve all the praise, all the support.”

According to the minister, Air Peace’s global standard and innovative operations coupled with some of the government’s efforts are beginning to attract attention to the country’s aviation potential to the point that international lessors and financiers are anxious to cooperate with airline operators in Nigeria on dry leasing and other financial arrangements.

“We got a letter yesterday inviting all of us to Ireland in January. Because of what we have done in the last few months since we came to office, the collection of the leading aircraft lessors and financiers in the world have invited us to a meeting in Ireland in January. They want to start discussing at the highest level with Nigerian operators the business of aircraft leasing and financing. We are on the right path and all thanks to people like Allen Onyema.”

The minister highlighted the tough aviation terrain in the country, which has led to the death of numerous airlines in the past. “If you look at the history of airlines in Nigeria, it is difficult for them to survive more than 10 years and still look healthy. We have a history of great mortality of airlines; more than a hundred airlines in the last 40 years or so and I am sure you all remember from the Concord to the Zenith to Okada to the Bellviews to the ADCs,” Keyamo said.

Air Peace has however bucked this trend by surviving for 10 years and still going strong. “Here you have the Air Peace, after 10 years still looking strong, still looking healthy, and actually on the rise rather than on the decline.”

The minister revealed that one of his first assignments upon assuming office was to meet with airline operators and other key stakeholders to understand the challenges plaguing the industry. And that having understood the challenges, the government is addressing them.

“We have listened to them [airline operators]. We have looked at their problems and we are frontally addressing those problems right now. I can assure you that what has been neglected in the last 40 years to make those airlines go under, those are the issues we are addressing, and we will not have airlines going under in Nigeria again,” Keyamo said.

The result of that meeting, according to the minister, will be the emergence of a number of local airlines in the next few years for domestic, regional, continental, and international routes.

Responding to the minister, Dr. Allen Onyema said that hope began to rise in the aviation industry over the past year with the appointment of Keyamo as minister, who has undertaken a revamp of the industry, thereby increasing the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines.

“Now, you must have noticed some changes
in the aviation industry in the last year. I want to use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating a platform through the instrumentality of his appointment of Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. So, if I praise President Tinubu, you must know I am telling the truth because I am involved,” Onyema said.

He assured that the airline would not rest on its oars and would continue to provide cutting-edge services to put Nigeria on the aviation industry world map.

Air Peace, founded by visionary leader Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, officially commenced business on 25 October 2014. Since then, the company has grown to be a reputable airline in the country, even as it commenced international flights in 2022 with a flight to China, UK, and other international destinations. From seven aircraft and five destinations on its first day of operations, Air Peace has grown to become a leader in West African.