By Lawani Mikairu

Air Peace airline yesterday said its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, did not grant any recent interview to any media outfit where it berated the government for continuously imposing multiple taxes and charges on the aviation operators  and granting multiple designations to foreign carriers .

Diaspora group urges support for Air Peace Boss, Onyema

According to the  Corporate Communications Executive of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, the issues raised in the publications have since been addressed by the current Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika and so, there is no way the COO could raised them again.

Olisa said : “The attention of Air Peace has been drawn to some publications within the past couple of days, stating that our Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, said the government should stop granting multiple designations to foreign carriers. These publications also stated that our COO berated the government for continuously imposing multiple taxes and charges on the aviation operators”.

“We are stating categorically that this interview is not a recent interview. Mrs Olajide granted this interview about  multiple designation almost two years ago. The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on assumption of office as the substantive Minister of Aviation, swung into action geared towards addressing all these complaints to the satisfaction of all the airlines in the overall interest of the Nation. He called several meetings with the airlines’ Chief Executives in order to find a lasting solution to the issues”.

“Air Peace has since then praised the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing these issues. How could Air Peace be complaining about issues the airline has since commended the Federal Government for handling to the satisfaction of the industry?

“We have, as an airline, in recent times, come under deliberate attacks from quarters that could no longer disguise their ugly intentions for an entity that is catering for over three thousand workers, an entity that is moving the Nigerian economy positively”.

“ We see the publications as an attempt by some mischief-makers to put Air Peace at loggerheads with the government. The news platforms releasing these publications are giving the impression that Air Peace as an airline does not appreciate the efforts of government”.

“ Recently, Air Peace received a notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of one of the west coast countries we fly into, stopping us from operating into and out of points beyond their country. Their reason was simply, the Federal Government of Nigeria has refused to grant a similar request to their Airline”.

IBEDC warn customers against short cut over meter collection

“This is a testimonial that the Honourable minister is continuously reviewing the challenges faced by the Airlines with a view to mitigating these challenges to create an enabling environment for our indigenous carriers. Air Peace truly commends this great effort and will never undermine the laudable efforts of the minister and other regulatory bodies”, he added.

Vanguard