The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s direct support for indigenous airlines played a decisive role in slashing business-class fares on Nigeria-London routes from about $13,000 to roughly $3,000 a development that has triggered a price war in the sector and brought relief to Nigerian travellers.
Speaking after the airline expanded its UK operations to include both Lagos–London Gatwick and Abuja–London Heathrow flights, Onyema credited the federal government with clearing long-standing bottlenecks that had previously held back Nigerian carriers from competing on major international routes.
According to him, the concessions, diplomatic backing, and regulatory support offered by the Tinubu administration enabled Air Peace to secure competitive slots, military-grade security permissions, and favourable leasing terms.
“These flights are a first for any Nigerian airline, operating to both Heathrow and Gatwick at the same time. Without the President’s firm support, we would not be seeing airfares dropping from $13,000 to $3,000. The impact is immediate and Nigerians are benefiting,” Onyema said.
He added that Air Peace’s entry into the lucrative trans-Atlantic aviation corridor has disrupted the dominance of foreign carriers, many of whom previously charged inflated fares that placed immense pressure on Nigerians, especially business travellers, students, and medical tourists.
Industry players note that the entry of a competitive Nigerian carrier into London’s major airports has forced international airlines to revisit their pricing models and engage local travel agents to retain market share. Travel analysts believe the development could reshape African aviation, demonstrating the power of strategic government-private partnerships.
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However, Onyema cautioned that sustaining the price revolution requires continued government support, especially as local airlines grapple with high operating costs, forex scarcity, jet-A1 fuel price volatility, and dollar-denominated aircraft servicing expenses.
“This is not just an Air Peace victory it is a Nigerian victory,” he said. “The race is far from over. We need continued backing to keep proving to the world that Nigerian carriers can compete globally and deliver value to our people.”
Aviation observers say the move could serve as a test case for boosting the competitiveness of local airlines across other long-haul routes, including North America and Asia, if policy momentum continues. Meanwhile, passengers have welcomed the fare drop, describing it as a long-overdue relief in a tough economic climate.
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