Just within the week, specifically Thursday October 24, 2024, Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace, clocked 10 – a feat worthy of recognition by the country’s standard.
Having received its Air Operator Certificate, AOC, in 2014, the carrier commenced scheduled flight operations in the same year; and ever since then, it has risen higher, higher and higher than many predicted.
Indeed, such a lofty accomplishment would not have been possible without its charismatic Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, who has continued to defy the odds associated with operating in a difficult terrain like Nigeria.
In a country where many airlines, including Bellview, Chanchangi, Med-View, Oriental, Sosoliso, Okada and some others, have operated and packed up – to the amusement and detriment of the travelling public – Air Peace has continued to give Nigerians hope.
In countless ways, the carrier has shown that it has come to stay and would, in its own capacity, expand and play a major role in filling a fraction of the void in the airline subsector.
As Air Peace celebrates a decade flying, Saturday Vanguard has harvested its CEO’s words as recorded on the carrier’s social media page, specifically X, over the week, offering readers a glimpse into the circumstances that nudged him to start an airline that is now the country’s pride.
On how the thoughts to start Air Peace developed
I (Onyema) never thought I was going into the airline business or aviation for that matter. Growing up and going through schools, I never thought that I would go into aviation or the airline business. My father always knew that I like philanthropy a lot and I like touching lives even as a student. In secondary school, my mates will tell you that I would come with the provisions given to me by my parents and share them with others, leaving me hungry for the rest of the day. So, my father said instead of giving people hand-outs and they come back again and again, why not look for a kind of business that would provide a lot of jobs for people. He knew that I was very interested in creating massive job opportunities for the teeming unemployed masses in the country. Therefore, he told me to look for something to do for them. So, I set up agriculture, importation and so many other things. And someone said: “Allen, if you want to realise this ambition of yours, go into aviation.” That person is a friend of mine called Chris. I call him Chris Norma, Norma was his nickname. He told me to go into aviation because one Boeing 737 or one aircraft could give up to a thousand jobs and that widened my thoughts immediately.
On knowing next to nothing about aviation but still ventured into it
I was naïve because I never knew anything about aviation. So, I decided to go into it. From the benefit of my experience till this day, it is not true that one aircraft could give 1,000 direct jobs. Yes, it could create 1,000 indirect jobs but not 1,000 direct jobs. Yet, airline business creates massive job opportunities for people and this is the reason I went into aviation. I went into it to create jobs for the people. I went into it with the mindset of helping others because it is my belief in life and my conviction that unless my brothers and sisters – when I say my brothers and sisters I mean mankind – prosper that would give me inner peace. So, I have always believed in living legacies, touching lives and that is my motivation.
On being on the right path and staying the course
Very often, people tell me that I am already on the right path and all I need to do is stay the course. So why complicate your life stressing over Nigeria? For me, working hard and seizing opportunities for persons of benefit is normal.
On untapped opportunities in Nigeria
But beyond the normal, there is a huge untapped opportunity for Nigeria to soar. Everything is here – from a geography that places us at virtually the centre of the world to a rich variety of cultures and breathtaking landscapes. From vast arable lands and reserves of natural resources to millions of resourceful and energetic people.
On his greatest satisfaction
I believe there is greater satisfaction in being among millions of successful people than to merely be a successful individual. After all, happiness ought to be shared. This is the motivation for building a world-class airline that proudly flies the Nigerian flag and millions of our people to the farthest corners of our land and beyond.
On some of Air Peace’s accomplishments
Today, we operate into 17 international and regional destinations with London Gatwick being our latest addition. Tomorrow we present new destinations and new opportunities for our people whether we are heading out to explore the world or coming home to make the Nigerian dream a reality, my name is Allen Onyema, we are Air Peace.
Major milestones and awards 2016
Airline of the Year – Daylight Annual Leadership
Domestic Airline of the Year– Tell Magazine
Diamond Special Recognition Award for Contribution to the Growth of Aviation Industry in Nigeria
2017
Best Domestic Airline of the Year – Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers, NATCA
Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers Achievement Award
Began its first regional flight operations from Lagos to Accra, Ghana
2018
First and only Nigerian airline to acquire the Boeing 777’s
Best Airline in West Africa – Balafon Award of Excellence
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Flag Carrier of Repute
Best Local Airline of the Year, Nigeria Travel Awards – Jumia Travels Nigeria
Company of the Year – Leadership Newspapers
Operated a commercial flight with an all-female flight crew
2019
Launched its first international scheduled flight operations from Lagos to Dubai (via Sharjah)
Airline of the Year Award – Daily Independent Newspapers, Nigeria
Best Domestic Airline – Tourism Awards
Company of the Year – Business Hallmark Awards
2020
Launched operations in South Africa
Company of the Year – Bsinese Day Aviation
Air Peace airlifted 268 Nigerians back to the country from China
Evacuation flight to India, Turkey, China, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, UAE
2021
NAAPE Gold Standard Safety Award 2021
Distinguished Safety Performance Award – Federal Airports Authority, FAAN, Kaduna
Humanitarian Airline 2021 Award – Aviators Africa Tower Awards
Company of the Year – Business Day Aviation
The first airline in Africa to acquire and operate the E2-195 Jets
Took delivery of five brand-new Embraer E2-195 Jets
2022
Airline of the Year Award – Daily Independent Newspapers
Nigeria Best Domestic Airline – Tourism Awards
Company of the Year – Business Hallmark Awards
Air Peace launched its first commercial flight into China.
2023
After 60 years, became the first Nigerian airline to commence direct flights to Tel Aviv, Israel
Launched its inaugural commercial flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Inaugurated its first commercial flight to Mumbai, India
Best Safety Compliant Airline Award – FAAN Osubi
Evacuated 277 Nigerians from Egypt amid the ongoing crisis in Sudan
2024
Vanguard Newspaper votes CEO, Allen Onyema Nigeria’s PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR, 2023
ICAN Business Achievement Award
Airline Of the Year – African Industrial and Development Conference
Outstanding Brand of the Year – Marketing Edge Awards
Began its scheduled flight operations to London Gatwick Airport
[Vanguard]