.Students to get special fares
Air Peace Airlines has disclosed plans to commence its London operations on March 30, with special affordable fares for students travelling to study in the United Kingdom.
Chairman of the airline, Allen Onyema, said this yesterday at the travel agents and stakeholders’ forum in Lagos.
Onyema, who called on travel agents to guard the students’ special fares from abuse, said the special concession would make it easier and affordable for students to travel during holidays and school resumption period.
He, however, lamented the continuation of multiple frequencies and destination regime Nigeria offers foreign airlines, describing it as one of the banes of the local economy.
Onyema said that Boeing 777 aircraft would be used in transporting the passengers to Gatwick Airport in London, a destination near a train station for ease of movement. He assured commitment to offering Nigerian travellers premium quality and luxury at affordable airfares.
He said: “We (Nigeria) have helped foreign airlines to decimate the treasury of Nigeria over time, not because we wanted to, but because there was no option. But the time has come for us to rescue the nation,” he said.
Onyema stated that the foreign airlines’ trapped funds in Nigeria were being used for blackmail.
“Nigeria owes foreign airlines over $700 million and is being blackmailed for that like it’s the only nation owing. These airlines know their money would be trapped in Nigeria, yet they increase their frequencies into the country,” he said.
According to him, the Air Peace London route was borne out of his love for Nigeria and to put an end to the high fares regime on the London route.
“I am not interested in politics. This is not about going to London. It is about giving Nigerians the best option and yielding to the yearnings of Nigerians. I set up Air Peace to create jobs for Nigerians,” he said.
The Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide, said the London route means a lot to Air Peace for several reasons and a major one is that it marks its historic entry into the European continent.
Olajide said: “Operating daily, this service will also offer several other benefits which give Air Peace an edge over the competition. It’s 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,” she said.
Chairman of the Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Bankole Bernard, said the Air Peace London flight is a welcome development, especially as Nigeria would now have its carrier creating a balance of trade.
Bernard said: “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 extent, we have something that will balance it up.
“Air Peace is not going to be faced with challenges of foreign exchange because the fares will be in naira. It is a welcome idea for travel agents and Nigeria as a whole.
“We appeal to Air Peace to try its 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 per cent fare reduction,” Bernard said.
