In a startling revelation, Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a clandestine scheme by foreign carriers operating the Nigeria-UK route to drive Air Peace out of international operations through aggressive price-slashing tactics.
Speaking candidly on Channels Television's Politics Today program, Onyema expressed deep concern over what he perceives as an "unspoken alliance" among foreign airlines to utilize cutthroat pricing strategies aimed at ousting Air Peace from the lucrative Nigeria-London route.
"If they take out Air Peace prematurely, this country will pay dearly for it, 10 times over," Onyema emphasized, warning of severe economic repercussions and a heavy strain on the nation's currency if his airline succumbs to the alleged conspiracy.
The controversy stems from Air Peace's recent foray into the Nigeria-UK airspace, with the launch of direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London on March 30, 2024. This move heralded as a milestone by many industry observers, has disrupted the status quo, prompting foreign carriers to recalibrate their pricing strategies to remain competitive.
Initially, ticket prices on the Lagos-London route soared as high as N3.5 million, but Air Peace's introduction of a return economy class ticket for N1.2 million triggered a domino effect, compelling competitors such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways to slash their fares in a bid to retain market share.
Onyema, however, contends that the price reductions by foreign airlines are not merely a response to market forces but rather a coordinated effort backed by their respective governments to undermine Air Peace's presence in the international arena.
"We are being deliberately frustrated in all ways," Onyema lamented, citing challenges with ground handling and space allocation at Gatwick Airport as evidence of the alleged conspiracy. He characterized the situation as a "very devilish conspiracy," orchestrated with the aim of crippling Air Peace and monopolizing the Nigeria-UK route.
Undeterred by the apparent obstacles, Onyema called upon other Nigerian airlines to join forces and challenge the hegemony of foreign carriers in international operations. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Minister Festus Keyamo for their unwavering support amidst the turbulent landscape of international aero politics.
As the controversy escalates, stakeholders await further developments, with the fate of Air Peace hanging in the balance amidst allegations of collusion and economic sabotage in the skies between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
