…acknowledges Onyema’s visionary leadership

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has affirmed the federal government’s strong support for Air Peace and other local airlines, emphasising its growth and dedication to quality service.

Speaking at Air Peace’s 10th anniversary celebration, Keyamo praised the airline’s success and resilience in an industry where many local carriers struggle to survive long-term.

Keyamo highlighted Air Peace as a symbol of national pride, celebrating the airline’s ability to compete internationally while enhancing Nigeria’s reputation in global aviation. “Air Peace flies the Nigerian flag high,” he said, underscoring its role in strengthening the country’s presence on the world stage.

Acknowledging the visionary leadership of Allen Onyema, founder and CEO of Air Peace, Keyamo expressed gratitude for Onyema’s accomplishments, which reflect the airline’s impact and expansion.

He encouraged other Nigerian airlines to adopt similar, long-term strategies, noting that Air Peace’s achievements demonstrate the possibilities achievable through sound management and commitment.

Keyamo also discussed the broader Nigerian aviation sector, referencing recent studies that show Nigeria accounts for 80 percent of domestic air travel in Africa, with the Lagos–Abuja route being the continent’s busiest. He remarked that Air Peace is well-positioned to meet this rising demand, setting industry standards with its expansion and quality.

In a forward-looking initiative, Keyamo announced that leading aircraft financiers and lessors have invited him and Nigerian airline operators to a high-level meeting in January, aiming to secure support and financing for local airlines, which will further enhance Nigeria’s global aviation standing.

Assuring stakeholders of the government’s dedication, Keyamo concluded by reiterating the federal government’s commitment to ongoing reforms that support local carriers. He urged Nigerian airlines to embrace sustainable, long-term planning, emphasizing the government’s focus on creating a supportive environment for the nation’s aviation industry to thrive.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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