……..ready for code-share with foreign airlines
……..we need government’s support to enjoy reciprocity….Onyema
Nigeria’s fastest growing domestic airline, AirPeace has further enhance its safety operations with the award of an international certificate issued by the International Air Transport Association, IATA.
The certificate called International Organizational Safety Audits, IOSA was presented to the chairman, Chief executive Officer of AirPeace, Mr. Allen Onyema in Lagos.
The IOSA certification audit is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.
IOSA uses internationally recognised audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner. Airlines are re evaluated every two years.
IOSA gives the airline opportunity to tell others that safety is important. It also gives people who want to do business with the airline to be assured that the level of safety required is there.
Speaking before the presentation of the certification, IATA Area Manager for West Africa, Dr Samson Fatokun commended Air Peace for passing the rigorous exercise adding that such feat is rare.
“such certificate makes all know that the aircraft management and maintenance are safe. it gives the passengers more assurance and confidence. Air Peace needs to keep it because the requirements keep changing. Air Peace will move to enhanced IOSA whereby the quality assurance are being monitored on daily bases”.
Dr Fatokun while applauding the support of the chairman of the airline for the success of the audit, said by the end of 2017 all African airlines are expected to be on IOSA registry adding that it requires perfect support of the CEO of the airline.
Today, we are pleased to present the certifcate to Air Peace, meaning that they have met the requirements. Air Peace has meet up the safety standards of other airlines in advanced countries. I congratulate the organisation”, Fatokun said.
Stressing that it takes a very rigorous system to actualise IOSA standard, Fatokun added “It is a very good and big achievement, it takes a very rigorous system to actualise it. we are encouraging you to stay there. Getting it is one thing and staying there is another thing. It is valid for two years; make sure you stay up there”.
Responding after receiving the IOSA certificate, the elated chairman of AirPeace, Mr. Allen Onyema said this is the first time an airline would achieve such a feat within a period of two and half years, adding that AirPeace has come to stay and make Nigeria proud.
The CEO said “I am very proud for what God has done. I thank the passengers. we are happy and I am short of words. We have got what many airlines in Nigeria and Africa could not get. It shows that God is with us. Government should begin to believe that we will get it right in Nigeria. With Air Peace, Nigeria will get it right this time. The year of airline falling apart after 10 years has passed. I run Air Peace like a passenger with phobia for flying. I want it to be so safe and we want top notch pilots, engineers and workers. We try to get get everything right”.
With the IOSA certificate, Onyema said he is already making consultations with some foreign airlines for codeshare arrangements. “I travelled four days ago because of codeshare. we are not afraid of codeshare with a reputable airline. Most foreign airlines are eager to do business with us. They want to work with Air Peace”.
Applauding the Federal Government, the CEO said “I thank the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to give us this six destinations they gave us and and I will not disappoint them. With IOSA, most reputable airlines will be willing to partner with us. We want to serve Nigerians better. We will encourage interlining and codeshare which will be done “.
Mr. Onyema disclosed that already, talks are on going with some foreign airlines for code-share and the IOSA certificate is a great leap to bridging the gap.
” we are already talking to some foreign airlines, I don’t want to mention the names now, we will tell later when the talks has reached an advanced, AirPeace will be the first to do this and by the grace of God, we will achieve this”
