Air Peace: The emerging giants of Africa

Air Peace has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception in 2013, evolving from a small airline with just seven aircraft to become the leading aviation giant in West and Central Africa. This growth trajectory has solidified its position as a source of national pride for Nigerians and has garnered international recognition for its achievements.

The airline was formed with the aspiration of providing economic opportunities to the Nigerian youth. It was a major force to rescue Nigerians who were stuck in the Sudanese conflict last year.

One of the key factors contributing to Air Peace’s success is its commitment to strategic fleet modernization and route expansion. By investing in new and innovative aircraft such as the Embraer 195-E2 and Boeing 737 MAX series, the airline has demonstrated its dedication to enhancing safety, efficiency, and passenger experience. The recent firm order for five Embraer 175 aircraft further underscores Air Peace’s ambition to operate the largest and youngest fleet in Africa, positioning itself as the airline of the future.

Air Peace

Setting a straight record, Air Peace takes flights to countries such as India, South Africa, China, and Israel, among others. In the North American region, Air Peace was vying to fly to Antigua and Barbuda.

In addition to fleet modernization, Air Peace has prioritized consistent growth and connectivity, expanding its network to include 20 domestic routes, 8 regional destinations, and 5 international hubs, with plans for further expansion into markets such as Jeddah. This commitment to expanding access to air travel aligns with the airline’s mission to connect every corner of Nigeria and serve the broader African continent.

Under the leadership of Chairman Allen Onyema, Air Peace has not only redefined the aviation landscape in Nigeria but has also set a new standard for excellence and innovation in the industry, creating job opportunities for Nigerian youths. With its strategic vision, commitment to safety, and dedication to customer satisfaction, Air Peace continues to set the benchmark for airlines in Africa and beyond.

For it unprecedented records and commitment over the years, The Nigeria government has approved the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa to fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The approval from the Nigerian aviation ministry is a significant milestone for Air Peace and highlights its growth and success in the industry.

On February 9, Air Peace, received approval to fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

In response to a letter dated January 12 to Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Air Peace received an approval letter allowing the Nigerian flag carrier to take to the skies of the US.

To expand its operations to North America, Air Peace had written to the aviation ministry. According to Aviation Metric, less than a month later, the ministry wrote back to the Nigerian carrier in a letter with the title, ‘Conveyance of approval to Messrs Air Peace Limited to operate commercial international flight operations into and out of New York,”

The words of the Nigerian aviation ministry

The letter of approval sent to Air Peace by H.T. Ejibunu, the director of Air Transport Management, was in accord with the ‘Open Skies’ agreement between the government of the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It read:

“… your airline is being advised to liaise with the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA) of the United States of America for documentation before commencement of scheduled flight operations. However, the airline is required to comply with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) 2023 part 18.5.11 by taking further necessary steps to liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the requirements. Kindly note that the approval has been communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its further necessary action,”

Air Peace is taking massive strides in the field of aviation, particularly in Nigeria. Air Peace celebrated Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide as its first female aircraft captain as well as the first female aircraft captain in Africa. This feat came six months after some tumultuous times in the aviation sector in Nigeria as there were threats of an indefinite aviation strike starting from April 17.

Around that time, the Nigerian government was also asked to investigate the exorbitant price of around $2,000 that a Nigerian had to pay for an economy ticket.

The Nigerian government is dashing to resume its services to Dubai with Air Peace at the frontier after a year of absence in the UAE. Within a decade after its services began, Air Peace also gained the permits to fly to the UK.

The addition of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York as one of the other major cities where it will fly is a testament to how far Air Peace has come despite the palpable threats it had of shutting down due to the fuel crisis in Nigerian, only a couple of years ago.