Physical Address
Awka Anambra State
In a significant revelation that underscores the impact of government intervention in the aviation sector, Allen Onyema, Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for playing a crucial role in helping the airline drastically reduce ticket prices on the Nigeria–United Kingdom route from $13,000 to $3,000.
Onyema, who made the disclosure during a recent media briefing, highlighted how President Tinubu’s support and proactive engagement helped Air Peace navigate the challenges posed by international flight monopolies and excessive pricing, restoring affordability for Nigerian travelers.
Background: The Struggle for Fair Airfare
For years, Nigerians traveling to and from the United Kingdom have faced outrageously high ticket costs, often exceeding $12,000–$13,000, particularly during peak travel seasons. These high prices were largely controlled by foreign airlines that dominated international routes, taking advantage of limited competition and market imbalance.
When Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest privately owned airline, announced the launch of its Lagos–London direct flight in early 2024, the development was greeted with excitement and relief across the country. The airline immediately introduced a competitive ticket price of around $3,000, which sent shockwaves across the aviation industry and triggered a market correction.
However, Onyema revealed that behind the success story lay a series of complex negotiations, policy support, and strategic government backing all championed by President Tinubu’s administration.
Tinubu’s Strategic Support for Nigerian Aviation
According to Allen Onyema, the Nigerian President played a critical role in ensuring that Air Peace’s entry into the international market was not hindered by restrictive foreign practices and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He explained that the President, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, intervened diplomatically and administratively to protect Air Peace from unfair competition and operational sabotage from foreign carriers.
“Without President Bola Tinubu’s decisive support and leadership, the cost of air tickets for Nigerians might have remained outrageously high,” Onyema stated. “His administration ensured a level playing field, enabling Air Peace to operate freely and offer affordable prices to Nigerians.”
The intervention not only allowed Air Peace to compete effectively but also compelled foreign airlines to reduce their ticket prices by over 60% to remain competitive.
Breaking the Monopoly of Foreign Airlines
Before Air Peace entered the Lagos–London route, a handful of foreign airlines including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic had near-total dominance of the Nigeria–UK market. The absence of a strong indigenous competitor allowed these carriers to set exorbitant fares, often citing currency exchange volatility and high operational costs.
Onyema revealed that the Tinubu administration recognized this as an economic imbalance and moved quickly to support Nigerian carriers in competing on international routes.
Through policy adjustments, diplomatic engagement, and aviation reform, the government ensured that Air Peace received all necessary clearances, route rights, and operational backing needed to challenge foreign dominance.
The result was an immediate and dramatic drop in ticket prices across airlines from an average of $13,000 to as low as $3,000, saving Nigerian travelers millions of dollars collectively.
Air Peace: A Symbol of National Pride
Allen Onyema described the London route success as a testament to Nigerian resilience, innovation, and the government’s renewed commitment to empowering local businesses. He emphasized that Air Peace represents national pride and economic independence, and the airline’s global expansion continues to prove that Nigerian companies can thrive on the international stage with the right policy environment.
He also lauded President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which focuses on economic reform, infrastructure, and local empowerment, saying that the administration’s commitment to fair competition in the aviation industry has created confidence among domestic investors.
“The support we received from President Tinubu’s government was not just for Air Peace; it was for the dignity of every Nigerian traveler,” Onyema said. “Now, Nigerians can travel abroad without being exploited.”
Broader Economic and Social Impact
The price reduction in international flight tickets has had ripple effects across Nigeria’s economy. Travel agencies, tourism operators, students, and families have all benefited from more affordable travel options.
According to aviation analysts, the Air Peace–Tinubu collaboration has not only democratized access to air travel but also boosted Nigeria’s foreign exchange stability, as fewer Nigerians are now forced to pay exorbitant foreign airline fares in dollars.
Additionally, the move has encouraged more inbound travel, as lower fares attract visitors, investors, and tourists to Nigeria.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite these successes, Onyema acknowledged that Air Peace and other local carriers still face major challenges, including access to foreign exchange, high maintenance costs, and limited international infrastructure.
He urged the federal government to continue implementing policies that favor indigenous airlines, such as:
- Reducing taxes and levies in the aviation sector.
- Providing easier access to forex at official rates.
- Strengthening bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) that promote reciprocity.
- Investing in aviation infrastructure and technical training.
Onyema reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to maintaining international standards of safety and service, noting that the airline plans to expand operations to other global destinations including New York, Johannesburg, and Dubai.
President Tinubu’s Aviation Reform Vision
The Tinubu administration has made aviation development a key component of its economic strategy. The President has consistently emphasized the importance of supporting local airlines to compete globally and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign carriers.
His government’s approach balancing regulatory fairness, infrastructure investment, and private sector encouragement has already yielded visible results.
Industry observers note that the success of Air Peace under Tinubu’s leadership has redefined the aviation narrative in Nigeria, showcasing how government–private sector collaboration can deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
Conclusion
The dramatic drop in ticket prices from $13,000 to $3,000 on the Lagos–London route is more than just an aviation story it is a triumph of leadership, innovation, and national interest.
Through the decisive support of President Bola Tinubu and the determination of Allen Onyema’s Air Peace, Nigerians have regained fairness and affordability in international travel.
This development marks a turning point for the Nigerian aviation industry, reaffirming the belief that with the right policy direction and patriotic leadership, Nigeria can compete and thrive on the global stage.
