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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) has lauded Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines for the successful inaugural Air Peace flight from Lagos to London.
In a statement, Buratai hailed Onyema’s unwavering commitment and patriotism amidst all obstacles on the Lagos – London flight by his airline on March 30th, 2024 which he said, “arguably crashed fares on the lucrative route by about fifty per cent for the benefit of Nigerians.”
According to Buratai, “the courage and resilience of Onyema has made him a barrier breaker and a line crosser in the aviation industry and whose triumphant launch of the inaugural Air Peace flight from Lagos to London has heralded a new era of competitive and accessible air travel for Nigerians”.
He implores the federal government and Nigerians, in general, to support the Air Peace chairman wholeheartedly and not let his efforts go down the drain like others in times past.
“In the light of an interview by Allen Onyema on national television on 9th April 2024, detailing the challenges faced by both local regulators and British Airways (BA) authorities, it is clear that the support of our government is crucial as he is like the moon among the stars that need the support and encouragement from all to shield him from all enemies of progress,” he said.
Buratai admonished the British Airways authorities to show sportsmanship, and maturity, and be fair to all airline operators plying the Abuja – London route.
Buratai, while pleading with the BA authorities, nevertheless urged the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation to apply a tit-for-tat approach, should BA or its agents remain recalcitrant in the face of the current challenges being faced by Air Peace in London Gatwick Airport.
The former Chief of Army Staff commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the platform for Chief Allen Onyema to succeed in his Airline business.
He said the Air Peace and its Chairman should be seen as Ambassadors of Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
