Air Peace Limited has officially launched its maiden direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport.
The inaugural flight took off in Abuja on Sunday.
Commenting on the feat, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, Allen Onyema, commended the Federal Government for its support.
“When Nigerian helicopter airline owners cried to the honourable minister of a certain charge, he removed it on the spot, in order to make life very simple for these airlines,” Onyema said.
“It is not just about Air Peace. Unless every airline in this country speaks up for what this regime has done for them, don’t keep quiet. It’s not only when the not so good things are done, that we all shout.
“When a government is doing that which is right, let us have one of our comrades there. And let any airline who says it has not benefited from the regime of Festus Keyamo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let the person stand up. Let the person show up tomorrow.
“Never, not even once. I am a leader of the airline, and I can tell you better. So, today what we are celebrating is absolute patriotism, absolute love for one’s country.”
On his part, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s clear mandate is to fully support local operators to ensure their businesses thrive and survive.
Keyamo said the ministry went to work with that directive, digging deep to find out what the problems of the local operators had been over the years.
“I’m sure you know that in the last 40 years or so, the mortality rate of the aviation sector has been very high. More than 100 airlines have come and gone,” he said.
The minister said that a healthy economy relies on a strong private sector, which provides the most jobs, and highlighted his ministry’s efforts to strengthen local operators to give them fair competitive leverage.
“The private and international airlines have been coming and going from Nigeria in the last 90 years,” Keyamo said.
He highlighted the intensive diplomatic efforts that secured the Heathrow slot, reaffirming the Government’s support for indigenous carriers under the bilateral air services agreement.
He noted that “the connecting capital of the whole of Europe” now lies within reach of Nigerian travellers, reflecting Nigeria’s firm stance on reciprocity and fair access.
Representing Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, congratulated Air Peace on behalf of the government and Nigerians, welcoming the increased competition, improved service and more accessible pricing to the UK market.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the 10th National Assembly, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the milestone embodies the philosophy that when government clears the runway, the private sector takes flight.