Thelma Osatohanmwen
Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, a Nigerian indigenous carrier, has raised alarm over an alleged conspiracy by foreign airlines operating the Nigeria-UK route to force Air Peace out of international operations by drastically slashing airfares on the route.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Onyema claimed that there is an “unspoken alliance” among foreign airlines to undercut Air Peace’s prices and dominate the Nigeria-London route.
His words, “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,” Onyema warned.
The development comes after Air Peace initiated direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London on March 30, 2024, reciprocating the lopsided Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anita, were among the dignitaries onboard the inaugural Lagos-London flight, marking a significant milestone for the Nigerian aviation industry.
However, despite the positive reception, Onyema revealed that foreign airlines have begun slashing prices to compete with Air Peace, with tickets on the Lagos-London route dropping significantly.
“It’s a very devilish conspiracy,” Onyema expressed, citing underpricing by foreign airlines and deliberate efforts to frustrate Air Peace’s operations at Gatwick Airport.
He called on other Nigerian airlines to join the Nigeria-UK route to challenge the monopoly previously held by foreign carriers, urging them to brace themselves for the challenges of international aeropolitics.
“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,” Onyema emphasized.