Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, has shed light on the mounting challenges confronting Nigerian airlines in 2023, ranging from frequent bird strikes and heavy taxation to persistent criticism from government agencies.
Speaking in an interview on Arise News, Onyema revealed that Air Peace recorded no fewer than 49 bird strikes within Nigeria between January and September this year. According to him, a single bird strike can ground an aircraft for weeks, disrupting flight schedules and causing huge financial losses.
“Air Peace has had 49 bird strikes in Nigeria from January to September. One bird strike can cripple an aircraft for up to one month. These incidents lead to costly delays and serious operational disruptions,” he said.
Onyema also reacted strongly to allegations by government bodies, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which has accused airlines of exploitative pricing and coordinated fare increases. He described the accusations as unfair and demoralising.
“We in the Airline Operators of Nigeria have said enough is enough. The bashing of Nigerian airlines never stops. It is even more painful when it comes from government agencies that should know better,” Onyema stated.
He dismissed claims of price-fixing, explaining that ticket prices vary based on timing, availability, and demand. According to him, affordable tickets still exist, even during peak travel periods such as Christmas.
“It is untrue that every ticket costs ₦400,000 or ₦500,000. You will still find tickets for ₦150,000 or less. On the same flight, one passenger may pay ₦125,000 while another pays ₦350,000, depending on when the ticket was purchased,” he explained.
Onyema stressed that Nigerian airlines still offer some of the cheapest domestic airfares globally. “We still sell tickets as low as ₦115,000, which is less than $60. Nigerians are flying some of the cheapest domestic fares in the world,” he said.
He further highlighted the burden of excessive taxation, revealing that only a fraction of ticket revenue goes to airlines. “From a ₦350,000 ticket, just about ₦81,000 comes to the airline. The rest goes to taxes and levies. Multiple taxation is unsustainable,” he warned.
Another major concern raised was damage to aircraft caused by ground handling companies. Onyema disclosed that one of Air Peace’s brand-new aircraft, worth over $85 million, was severely damaged on the ground, with repairs running into millions of dollars.
“One of our new planes had its engine thrust reverser destroyed by a ground handler. That engine alone costs about $18 million,” he said.
He also raised safety concerns and called for reforms that would allow capable airlines to manage their own ground handling operations. “If the law allows airlines to do their own ground handling, I support it. It will improve safety and efficiency,” Onyema noted.
In a particularly troubling revelation, Onyema described how one of the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft was grounded for three years due to the unavailability of an engine, only for the replacement engine to be damaged upon arrival. He described the incident as sabotage.
Despite these setbacks, Onyema reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to affordable and reliable air travel, while calling on the government to create a more supportive environment for local airlines.
“As much as we try to deliver quality service, the system is working against us. Nigerian airlines need better government support, improved safety standards, and a fair tax regime to survive and grow,” he concluded.
