Ikengaonline Editorial
As Air Peace makes triumphant entry to London route
On March 30, 2024, Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, achieved a momentous feat by launching its inaugural direct flight from Nigeria to London, United Kingdom.
The flight, a luxury Boeing 777 wide-body, which took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 12:10 a.m., manned by an all-Nigerian crew and carrying 260 passengers successfully touched down at Gatwick, heralding a new era and an excitingly new experience in the Lagos-London route.
Fully decked in the traditional Igbo royalty attire known as Isi Agu, a totem of grace and strength, the crew looked resplendent as they emerged from the London skies, while Nigerian passengers onboard disembarked from the Boeing 777 with their shoulders held high, joyfully embracing their arrival. It was indeed a triumphant entry into London.
Beaming with joy, the airline took to its social media handle to post a picture of the takeoff, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the successful launch of the Lagos-London route. This sparked celebrations in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and the reasons for this are evident.
First, Air Peace’s triumphant entry into the Nigeria-London route is remarkable, marking the first time in decades that a Nigerian airline will operate a direct flight from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. There’s an inherent sense of ownership and pride associated with Air Peace among Nigerians.
At a cultural level, flying Air Peace to and from London is a significant statement by the government and people of Nigeria in promoting Nigerian identity. Onboard the aircraft, passengers can experience a taste of Nigeria throughout the nearly six-hour flight, with local cuisines like jollof rice, spicy pepper soup, and other delicacies served. Additionally, featuring Nollywood movies in the flight entertainment menu underscores a massive cultural statement.
Importantly, Air Peace’s entry into the Nigeria-London route offers Nigerians competitive flight rates for the first time. Previously, return tickets for the route were exorbitant, ranging from N3m to N4m for economy class. With Air Peace, the same class costs N1.2m, with a 15% rebate for Nigerian students. Business class return tickets, which used to cost N13m to N14m with other airlines, now cost N4m with Air Peace. CEO Allen Onyema had long highlighted the exploitation of Nigerians by foreign airlines on the Lagos-London route, making it challenging for Nigerian airlines to operate there.
Air Peace’s remarkable achievement with its inaugural flight to Gatwick on Holy Saturday 2024 symbolizes a triumph over adversity. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including international aviation politics and obstructive actions by Nigerian aviation officials, the airline persevered. Allen Onyema’s resilience in the face of government opposition underscores the determination and perseverance needed to succeed in the aviation industry and a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to providing quality service to Nigerians.
Furthermore, the role of the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Kayamo, cannot be overstated. Their willingness to break free from the parochial inclinations of the past regime and prioritize rational commercial thinking has paved the way for Air Peace’s success. By supporting the airline’s efforts to secure approval for the Lagos-London route, the government has demonstrated its commitment to promoting economic growth and providing affordable air travel options for Nigerians.
Air Peace’s achievements also have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy, leading to job creation and other positive effects, while also celebrating the richness of Nigerian culture. This success story underscores the importance of government initiatives that foster an environment conducive to private sector growth.
Before Air Peace, Arik Air thrived, launching international operations to London-Heathrow in 2008, followed by Johannesburg in 2009, and New York JFK in 2009. Despite initial joy, issues arose with delays and cancellations, leading to mounting debt. By February 9, 2017, when the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over, Arik was totally buried in over N300 billion debt. Air Peace’s Allen Onyema should examine the reasons for Arik’s failure and learn a thing or two.
Air Peace must now intensify its efforts to sustain its leading position in the competitive landscape it has cultivated on the Lagos-London route. This necessitates a steadfast commitment to adhering to the highest global standards in the aviation industry. As the foremost airline in West and Central Africa, Air Peace must address issues surrounding its domestic operations, such as frequent flight cancellations and rescheduling, ensuring transparency and providing adequate compensation to passengers.
Ikengaonline proudly joins fellow Nigerians, both at home and abroad, in extending hearty congratulations to Allen Onyema and the dedicated team at Air Peace for this extraordinary milestone. This achievement marks a significant win for both Nigerian travelers, who will now reap the rewards of competitive pricing, and Air Peace itself, poised to leverage the full economic benefits of serving this lucrative route. With each success story like Air Peace, indigenous Nigerian enterprises play a pivotal role in alleviating the economic strain caused by forex demand.
It is our hope that this milestone will unlock new opportunities and pave the way for the re-entry of our indigenous airlines into the lucrative Lagos-JFK and Lagos-Houston routes, as well as other international destinations, thereby marking an expansion of their international frontiers.
