*Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, says the introduction of the special students’ airfares is aimed at supporting several Nigerian learners who are unable to travel home for over two years because ‘their parents cannot afford return fares to London’

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Air Peace is activating the direct flight operations between the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, in Lagos, Nigeria, to Gatwick International Airport, in London, with the introduction of special airfares for students on the route.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, disclosed this while speaking during the recent airline鈥檚 travel agents’ forum for the London launch in Lagos.

Onyema said said the airline wanted to make the airfares affordable for Nigerian students studying in the United Kingdom (UK).

The Nigerian-owned Air Peace is scheduled to commence aviation services to London, effective March 31, 2024.

The activation of the service is expected to further deepen competition on the London route, while Air Peace becomes the only Nigerian airline to operate the route in the last five years.

The Chairman of Air Peace urged the travel agents to manage the special students’ fares, so that it is not abused by passengers.

He also stated: “Several parents have been disconnected from their children.

“Many students have not been home for over two years because their parents cannot afford return fares to London. Parents will no longer suffer to raise money for fares for their children because the student fares will be affordable for all parents.”

Onyema further explained: “My children all schooled abroad and we insist that they return to Nigeria during their school breaks no matter how short.

“This is to enable us remain connected to our children and ensure they stick to our values and culture.”

He equally noted: “I know this is also the desire of several other parents, but this desire has been cut short because of high fares.

鈥淭his narrative will changed as soon as Air Peace resumes flights to London.”

On how the London route cane about, Onyema told the forum, that the Air Peace London route was borne out of his love for Nigeria and to put an end to high fares from Nigeria to London and back.

According to him, the entry of the airline on the London route will give the flying public more choices.

He as well assured that the airline would introduce cheaper fares to the passengers on the route.

Besides, Onyema pledged to provide competitive commissions for travel agents, but was silent on the airfares cost to the route.

Air tickets between Nigeria and United Kingdom is between N1.5 million to N2.5 million, depending on the airline and time of booking, according to report.

In his remarks at the forum, Mr. Bankole Bernard, Chairman of Airlines and Passengers鈥� Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said Air Peace London flight was a welcome idea, especially as Nigerians would now聽 have its own carrier creating balance of trade which is not tilted to one side.

Bankole stated: “There will be a bit of balance. Air Peace has been given a daily slot to Gatwick which amounts to seven frequencies, compared to 21 frequencies that the legacy airlines have; 14 in Lagos and seven in Abuja. To an extend, we have something that will balance it up.

鈥淎ir Peace is not going to be faced with challenges of foreign exchange because the fares will be in Naira.”

He also said: “It is a welcome idea for travel agents and Nigeria as a whole.

“We appeal to Air Peace to try it鈥檚 best to sustain the London route. We are willing to give them all the support to ensure this is successful.

“With Air Peace, travel agents envisage a 50 percent fare reduction.”

Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Air Peace, in her speech at the event said the London route meant a lot to Air Peace for several reasons.

Olajide observed the route marked its historic entry into the European market.

She explained that the She also disclosed the route would be operated with the airline鈥檚 Boeing 777 aircraft and the B787 Dreamliner aircraft, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the skies.

The airline would be launching with special promo fares and attractive plans for agents, Olajide said.

The COO said: “Operating daily, this service will also offer several other benefits which give Air Peace an edge over the competition.

“It鈥檚 a direct flight without stop-overs and offers unbeatable fares.

“The specifics of these offers and other Unique Selling Points will be presented as this engagement progresses.

鈥淲e want you to know that Air Peace鈥檚 operational expansion and milestones are driven by our ambition to continually connect cities and ease the burden of air travel while fostering economic prosperity across nations.”

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