…….secures Heathrow slots, promises “Wow” Customer Service
Chairman, Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema says, the is significantly expanding its fleet and international network while redoubling efforts to enhance on-time performance and customer service.
At a news conference in Lagos Wednesday, Onyema announced the airline is set to introduce more aircraft and launch new routes, signaling a robust period of growth and improved operational efficiency.
He revealed that Nigerians can expect to see an announcement regarding new aircraft arrivals within the next three weeks or by the end of the month.
This fleet expansion will allow Air Peace to further optimize its domestic flight schedules and potentially introduce more routes within Nigeria.
On the regional front, Air Peace continues to solidify its presence across West Africa, with active routes to Douala, Dakar, Banjul, Abidjan, Monrovia, Accra, and Freetown.
Dr. Onyema indicated plans to extend this reach further before the end of the year, with potential new destinations including Congo and Libreville, Gabon, as the airline has already secured necessary permits from those countries.
A major highlight of the briefing was the airline’s international expansion, particularly with its daily London service performing exceptionally well.
The Air Peace boss proudly announced that from October 26th, the airline will commence daily flights from Abuja to London Heathrow.
This significant development comes after British authorities granted Air Peace access to Heathrow, a testament, Dr. Onyema noted, to their confidence in the airline’s operations and safety record.
He extended gratitude to the British authorities, along with Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their support in showcasing Nigeria globally.
In addition to the Heathrow service, Air Peace has also secured seven days of operations to London Gatwick.
“Nigerians should be proud of Air peace who have represented very well and that’s why we are getting all this validation”.
The airline plans to strategically allocate these slots, potentially offering four days to Heathrow and three days to Gatwick from Abuja, ensuring daily connectivity from the Nigerian capital to London.
Dr. Onyema emphasized that the international community’s willingness to grant such access underscores the airline’s strong safety record and operational excellence, allowing it to overfly their airspace commercially.
Looking towards new frontiers, the Air Peace chairman excitedly shared that Air Peace will venture into the Caribbean for the first time in September, with Antigua as an initial destination.
He recounted recent successful validation flights to St. Kitts and Nevis on June 12th and yesterday, demonstrating the airline’s capability to undertake demanding 20-hour round-trip flights for both cargo and passenger services.
Addressing past challenges with flight delays and cancellations, Dr. Onyema stated that Air Peace has implemented a new strategy since May 10th.
He proudly reported that since May 12th, the airline has consistently achieved over 85% on-time performance, OTP.
This significant improvement, he explained, involved making the strategic, albeit financially impactful, decision to keep approximately three full-bodied aircraft on the ground daily.
This move allows the airline to deploy immediate replacements in case of unforeseen operational issues, such as bird strikes or mechanical faults, thus minimizing delays.
While acknowledging that this approach might temporarily limit available flights for some passengers, it is a crucial step towards ensuring consistent on-time performance.
He also hinted at a groundbreaking development in customer service, set to be unveiled in the coming days.
He promised a “WOW” experience for Nigerians, with new customer service personnel in distinct uniforms, offering an unprecedented level of personalized service.
Dr. Onyema asserted that this innovative approach to customer care has never been seen before in the aviation industry globally, highlighting Air Peace’s continued commitment to pioneering advancements.
He also mentioned the airline’s unique staggered seating on a single-aisle aircraft, another global first.
Dr. Onyema expressed profound gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support, attributing Air Peace’s success and validation from international bodies to the trust and patronage of the flying public.
“Air Peace is doing well, thanks to Nigerians, thanks to the flying public. I thank Nigerians for their support, Nigerians love Air Peace, as I said before 99% of Nigerians love Air Peace, I don’t want to be swayed by the 1% that believe in Pulling Down Syndrome, No”.
He stressed that 99% of Nigerians support Air Peace, and the airline remains committed to serving the nation with pride and excellence.
