…as Fidelity Bank commends Air Peace’s financial discipline

By Lawani Mikairu

The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, has described the acquisition of brand new aircraft by Air Peace as a milestone in Nigeria’s aviation industry, noting that what is happening in the industry is a paradigm shift.  

This is just as Fidelity Bank commends Air Peace’s financial discipline

Nuhu stated this at a recent ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to mark the delivery of Air Peace’s third brand new E195-E2 aircraft out 13 on firm order.   

Lauding the Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, the DG said that the beauty of the aircraft delivery was not just that the aircraft is new but that the airline picked the right kind of aircraft befitting for the market.  

“Today is another milestone and a paradigm shift and this is something that I have not seen since my days at Nigerian Airways when they were purchasing the right aircraft for the right routes. Air Peace is not only buying aircraft, but also buying the right-size aircraft for the Nigerian market.  

“The Embraer aircraft is the right aircraft; it breaks even with low passenger figures; your maintenance cost is low; your operational cost is low. Another factor is that the new aircraft is absolutely great for the environment; it does less pollution. I am really proud that I am DG when this paradigm shift is happening.

“We are all here to work together to grow the industry and we have to give kudos to the entrepreneurs, as without such people, all this will not be possible. We need entrepreneurs like Onyema,” Nuhu asserted.    

It can be recalled that just recently Air Peace took delivery of its third brand new E195-E2 jet out of the 13 ordered from Embraer, with five more to be delivered before 2021 runs out.

Meanwhile, Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc has commended the financial discipline of  Air Peace and restated commitment to continue to partner and collaborate with the airline 

Speaking during the ceremony to mark the arrival of Air Peace’s third Embraer 195-E2 on Thursday in Abuja, the Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said when the airline disclosed its plans to buy 13 brand new aircraft from Embraer, she thought it was a joke, knowing how much these aircraft could cost, but the bank worked with the airline to actualise that objective. 

Onyeali-Ikpe said since Air Peace started doing business with the bank seven years ago, the airline has exhibited high fiscal discipline and prudence that has prompted the bank to go with the domestic carrier as far as it wants to go.

She assured that the bank would continue to collaborate with the airline and would work with it all the way, adding that the bank was very happy with the airline’s successes. 

“It is a major success for a local player to have the level of financial discipline that this company has. So I commend you, and we will work with you all the way to any level that you want. I also want to thank the staff of Air Peace and celebrate with Mr. Allen Onyeama; he is the strength behind all of these.

“We are here today to welcome the third aircraft. We have collaborated with Air Peace for so long and I can tell you that with determination and commitment, the vision and purpose that there is nothing you cannot surmount,” she said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah acknowledged that it is not easy to do business in Nigeria today, especially in the aviation industry, remarking that many airline operators are discouraged from buying new planes because of the huge costs.

He however commended Allen Onyema for being an astute businessman and the only operator still bringing in new aircraft. 

He said the South East zone would continue to give support to Air Peace because it is representing the Nigerian flag. 

Ubah said he is currently in talks with the Turkish Ambassador on the possibility of Air Peace exploring the Turkish airspace, adding that this would be another plus for the Nigerian carrier.  

He assured that the country will continue to make laws that will enable local airlines to operate smoothly in the country.