The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the policy support that made possible the airline’s historic Abuja–London Heathrow flight.
He said the president’s intervention helped slash international airfares from as high as $13,000 to about $3,000.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Onyema described the milestone as a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation sector and a proof of what effective collaboration between government and private enterprise can achieve.
“I 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.”
“President Tinubu did the right thing for this country. His intervention forced foreign airlines to reduce their ticket prices drastically. Prices have come down from $13,000 from Abuja to Heathrow; we’ve brought it down to $3,000,” Onyema said.
His comments came after Air Peace Limited on Sunday commenced a direct flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the London Heathrow Airport.
In a statement through his aide, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said, “The flight took off this morning, Sunday, October 26, 2025, and is expected to arrive this evening in London, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
Onyema said the flight has “saved Nigerians money and made flying affordable again. Even Britons on our flights were happy because competition has finally arrived.”
The Air Peace boss revealed that the airline now operates 14 weekly flights between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, covering both Lagos–London Gatwick and Abuja–London Heathrow routes, a first for any Nigerian carrier.
He said the entry into the lucrative UK route has forced foreign airlines to review their fares, benefiting all travellers.
“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.”
“Even if you don’t fly Air Peace, you can now fly other airlines at reduced fares,” he added.
“Air Peace cannot fly everybody, but at least Nigerians now have a choice,” he said.
Onyema credited Keyamo for driving the president’s aviation vision, noting that under Tinubu’s administration, Nigerian airlines have regained access to international leasing options after more than 15 years of restrictions.
“I cannot stop praising Festus Keyamo. He is implementing the mandate and vision of Mr President 100 per cent. 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,” he said.
Onyema also hailed the government’s removal of the 4% FOB levy on imported aircraft parts, saying such responsive policies have boosted investor confidence.
“We’re not asking for money — just supportive policies. When we complained about the levy, the president removed it immediately. That’s what a listening government does.”
Onyema, however, cautioned against bureaucratic hostility toward indigenous enterprises.
“Some people still suffer from a pull-him-down syndrome. Destroying a company like Air Peace that employs over 10,000 Nigerians harms the nation. When people lose jobs, insecurity rises.”
He reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to projecting Nigeria’s image globally, stressing that the airline’s success belongs to the country, not just its founder.
“Air Peace is not about Allen Onyema — it’s about Nigeria. Every time we fly our flag in London, we show what Nigerians can achieve when government and the private sector work together,” he added.
PUNCH Online reported that Kayemo had said in June 2025 that the landmark flight follows sustained diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government to enforce reciprocity in international air travel agreements.
The minister said that the breakthrough was the result of a letter from the ministry dated Aug. 1, 2024, to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh.
