The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has praised President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for what he described as a remarkable turnaround in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He made these remarks at an event in Abuja celebrating 100 years of aviation in Nigeria.
“I represent the entire airspace. And when we speak, we are not afraid to speak. And we are not afraid to criticise when necessary,” he said, noting that airline operators also commend leadership when it is deserved. “And today, I want to celebrate our president.”
Onyema said the president’s appointments have played a crucial role in stabilising the sector. “Because this president has helped the aviation industry. First and foremost, with the kind of appointment he made,” he said.
Recalling his earlier interactions with the president, Onyema said, “I remember when I met him in the villa.
I told him that someday, Mr President, and I repeated this several times to his hearing and understanding, that someday, Mr President, you will thank God Almighty for allowing you to appoint Keyamo to this position.”
According to Onyema, the aviation industry had long been unfairly labelled as incapable.
“Our industry was almost dead. Nigerian airlines were suffering under a demonised status.
V We were all demonised as not being effective,” he said. “We were all demonised as lacking in capacity. We were all demonised as having nothing good to come from us. Nobody had hope.”
He added that despite their contributions to the economy, domestic airlines received little recognition.
“The country was made to look at us as a very hopeless sector… Yet, we didn’t get our flowers. Now, we have a change,” he said.
Onyema said the minister has been relentless in pushing reforms: “We have a minister who has decided that every day of his life, he’s out there trying to improve the lives of all of you here, the airlines.”
He credited the synergy between the presidency and the aviation ministry for the renewed confidence in the sector: “And when you have a minister, and you have a president who has given a minister a marching order to make sure the domestic airlines succeed… that is what we are enjoying today.”
Onyema also acknowledged the role of the deputy minister and other aviation agencies.
“And we thank Mr President for giving those marching orders to his deputy minister,” he said. He praised the Managing Director of FAAN, noting that “the FAAN MD… is working tirelessly with little resources to give the airlines a listening ear.”
However, Onyema warned that looming taxes set to take effect on 1 January 2026 could cripple local airlines if not reviewed.
“We are going to meet members of the National Assembly very soon… to discuss the issues of taxation… because if it is allowed to happen, all of us will crumble,” he cautioned. “So, I know Mr President will heed our cries and do the needful.”
He clarified that regulators were not encouraging unsafe operations. “They are not cutting corners; they are not telling the airlines to do anything unsafe. Rather, on the administrative aspect of things: when procedures need to be expedited, they do it.”
Onyema also highlighted Air Peace’s impact on international fares, saying competition had dropped ticket prices significantly. “Before now, the airlines had no competition. What they were doing was going to the market, charging Nigerians an arm and a leg N16 m to go to London. Air Peace came in and brought it down to four million.”
The Air Peace chairman urged continued support for reforms to ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
