Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has spoken out against what he described as a planned effort to damage the image of his airline.
He made the statement while speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
His reaction follows a recent clash between Air Peace and former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, over a check-in disagreement at the airport. While Onyema did not mention Oshiomhole by name, he hinted that the criticism was unfair.
“Air Peace has done a lot for our fatherland, and we will continue to do it because we see it as a calling, not to make money,” Onyema said.
He called on Nigerians to stop bringing down successful local businesses. “We demand to be applauded. We demand to be appreciated by our country,” he added. “Nigerians should jettison this pull-him-down syndrome. Both government agencies and citizens must stop trying to destroy their own.”
Onyema warned that harming businesses like Air Peace could lead to bigger national problems. “If you destroy any indigenous business that provides massive job opportunities, you don’t know where the next suicide bomber, armed robber, or kidnapper will come from,” he said.
In a positive development, the Air Peace chairman also announced that the airline has secured slots at London’s Heathrow Airport for a new Abuja-to-London route, starting October 26.
“Our daily flights to London are going well. Come October 26, we start Abuja-London. The British authorities have granted Air Peace Heathrow. That is a testament to their belief in what we are doing,” he said.
Onyema thanked the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and President Bola Tinubu for their continued support in helping the airline expand globally.
