The Chairman of Nigerian indigenous carrier, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, has alleged conspiracy among foreign airlines to force Air Peace out of international operations.
Onyema claimed that these foreign airlines aim to undercut Air Peace’s profitability on the Nigeria-London route by artificially lowering their ticket prices. He argued that this tactic threatens to weaken Nigeria’s economy and could cost the nation billions of naira.
“If they take out Air Peace prematurely, this country will pay dearly for it, 10 times over, billions will be lost, there will be another heavy strain on the naira,” said Onyema.
The Air Peace founder recalled his airline’s historic commencement of direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London in March 2024. This development has been widely praised for its potential to spur local airlines to approach profitable international routes.
However, Onyema expressed his concerns about the recent aggressive pricing strategies by foreign airlines on the same route. According to him, these moves are deliberately aimed at disrupting Air Peace’s operations. He further cited instances of ground handling and space allocation challenges at Gatwick Airport.
“It’s a very devilish conspiracy, all of a sudden, (foreign) airlines are underpricing, below the cost, it’s not even up to one month, an airline was advertising $100, another one $305, $350”
“Fill up the entire aircraft and carry people on the wings, it’s not even enough to buy your fuel. So, why are they doing that? Their governments are supporting them because Nigeria has been a cash cow for everybody.” He said
Onyema further stated that the Nigerian government is supporting foreign airlines in their manipulative tactics, and enabling this situation by not adequately protecting local airlines.
“The idea is to take Air Peace out and the moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians will pay 20 times over again,” he lamented.
The Air Peace Chairman went on to extend an invitation for other Nigerian airlines to join the Nigeria-UK route to break the monopoly hitherto held by foreign carriers.
“I invite other Nigerian airlines to join the fray, let them come, let all of us do international operations. Yes, international aeropolitics is very dirty but somebody must pay the price,” he said.
