Despite the challenges posed by inconsistent government policies and bureaucratic obstacles, Air Peace, West Africa’s largest carrier, recently achieved a significant milestone.
Instead of expanding its fleet, the private airline successfully gained authorization to enter the European airspace by securing a Foreign Carrier Operator Permit (FCOP) for flights to London.
This permit allows them to operate direct flights to London using their Boeing 777 aircraft.
Furthermore, the airline extended its presence in Asia by launching scheduled commercial flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking its sixth international destination in just nine years since its commercial flight operations began.
However, it’s worth noting that Air Peace faced various challenges, including infrastructural gaps and government policies, during the past three years.
They had to overcome hurdles to secure landing permits, particularly during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these challenges, the airline’s commitment to providing affordable air travel is evident, as they offered competitive fares during these challenging times.
Human rights activist Femi Falana called for the suspension of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights into Nigeria until Air Peace is allowed to operate on the Lagos-London route in accordance with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Stakeholders commended Air Peace for its achievements but emphasized the need for government support for the airline’s sustained success.
Nigerian airlines face difficulties in securing routes and achieving reciprocity under BASA agreements. Air Peace also highlighted the issue of outstanding debts owed by the federal government, which affect the airline’s operations.
They called for government support and the provision of foreign exchange to enable the return of aircraft after maintenance.
In summary, Air Peace has shown its capacity to compete internationally and is investing in its fleet.
They require support from the government to further enhance their operations and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian aviation industry.
