Aviation

Air Peace Boss, Onyema Makes Case For Domestic Airlines, Preaches Patriotism

Published

7 years ago

July 19, 2019

Optimum Times

Chairman Air Peace Airline, Barr. Allen Onyema

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

The Chairman, Air Peace Airline, Barr. Allen Onyema has frowned at some Nigerians who badmouth domestic airlines, saying that Nigerian airlines will never succeed with the present policy and attitude towards them.

Onyema , at the recently concluded League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LACC) 23^rd Annual Conference and Awards held in Lagos, expressed his dissatisfaction on the belief that Nigerian airlines are not strong and condemned multiple designation and multiple entry.

He said Nigeria must begin to have deliberate policies to protect Nigerian investment, stressing that no foreign airline is doing Nigeria well but use some people in government to run down domestic airlines.

“I take exception to that believes, how can they say we are not strong, in less than 4years Airpeace have acquired 27planes and have 30 planes that will hit the country in the next 8months and you say I am not strong.”

“Some of these foreign airlines come for our assistance and we assist them because we don’t want to see their country’s carrier go down. I ask for your support in speaking about how these foreign airlines are ravaging our economy not because of Airpeace but for all domestic airlines,” he said.

The thriving businessman urged Nigerians to quit celebrating foreign airlines on their soil to the detriment of indigenous investors.

According to the Air Peace Boss, if these foreign airlines mean well for our country, they should meet the local airline to help them distribute in Nigeria that is how it is done.

“This is the time to support Nigerian Airline, if they get maximum support from indigenes and government, 95percent of them will succeed,” he said.

Also Speaking, the Chief executive Officer, African Aviation Services, Mr. Nick Fadugba said a situation in which over 90 per cent of international air traffic to and from Nigeria is carried by non-Nigerian airlines is damaging to the economy in several ways, such as the huge capital flight from Nigeria, the continued deterioration of the Nigerian aviation industry and the loss of skilled aviation employment opportunities.

He expressed his support on the federal government’s plan to launch a new national carrier with minority government shareholding if it is one transparently and skillfully established. To succeed, he said the new national carrier needs a sound business plan, strategic industry partners, adequate funding, an experienced management team, well trained staff, a fleet of modern aircraft, a comprehensive route network, on-time performance, good customer service and no government involvement.

He recommended that .African governments and regulators need to provide an enabling environment, while African airlines should work together through inter-lining, code sharing, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions so as to form stronger carriers that can compete effectively and can grow and prosper.

On Policies, the Chairman of the Occasion, Med-View Boss, Alhaji Muneer Bankolesuggested that the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the minister of Aviation and other relevant regulatory agencies need to reflect on the National Aviation Policy in conjunction with various stakeholders holistically.

“BASA agreements with other major European and some Asian countries need to be urgently reviewed to reflect the interest of local carriers,” he said.