The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace Limited, Mr. Allen Onyema, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s support was crucial in crashing the flight fare of the airline from $13,000 to $3,000 for its direct flight from Abuja to London.
He made this known during an interview with ARISE News, saying, “First of all, we must show gratitude to God Almighty. Without Him, nothing is possible.
“I also want to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pulling this off. This is an example of government paving the way for the private sector to thrive. No country develops without the private sector, because it is the private sector that embodies and implements the visions and aspirations of government.
“Prices have come down from $13,000 from Abuja to Heathrow; we’ve brought it down to $3,000.
“We’re saving money for our country and making it affordable for Nigerians and the entire flying public. Even Britons on our flight were happy because competition has arrived.”
According to him, the airline flies 14 times a week between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, connecting Lagos to London Gatwick and Abuja to Heathrow.
He said, “This is the first time any Nigerian airline will be flying both the Lagos–London Gatwick and Abuja–London Heathrow routes simultaneously.
“It’s opened the corridor not just to Europe but to the entire world. Many of our passengers are connecting to America, Canada, and Asia through London, saving a lot of money with our affordable fares.”
Onyema also applauded the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Onyema said, “I cannot stop praising Festus Keyamo. He is implementing the mandate and vision of Mr. President 100 percent. This is the first time airlines in Nigeria will have leasing options. For over 15 years, the industry was blacklisted, but this administration changed everything. They signed the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction that allows big leasing companies to come into Nigeria. The government has given Nigerian aviation a new lease of life.”
Explaining the importance of the London flights, he said, “If you are flying into Abuja from Heathrow, you land at 6 a.m., and by 8 a.m., our flights are leaving Abuja for Enugu, Calabar, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and other cities.
“You can buy a single ticket—Heathrow to Enugu or Gatwick to Kano—and we’ll handle your luggage through to your final destination. No other airline offers this connectivity in Nigeria.”