Air Peace At 10: Allen Onyema Shares Reasons For Setting Up Airline

AISHAT ABUBAKAR

Aviation mogul, Allen Onyema has said that a childhood desire to established a business that would provide jobs for a lot of people instead of giving them handouts that spurred him to set up an airline, Air Peace.

Speaking in a recent interview ahead of the airline’s 10th anniversary, Onyema said that at the younger age, he had passion for philanthropy and was advised by his father to establish a business that would provide jobs for a lot of people.

According to Onyema, this advice by his father pushed him to set up Air Peace when a friend told him that he could realize the ambition by going into airline business that will enable him provide thousands of jobs.

He pointed out that with his experience he has realized that though airline business cannot give direct one thousand direct jobs, it can, however, create massive job opportunities for people indirectly.

“Airline business creates massive job opportunities for people. I went into it to create jobs for the people I went into it with the mindset of helping others… I’ve always believed in living legacies, in touching lives, and that is my motivation,” Onyema stated.

Explaining the airline’s route expansion and fleet size in 10 years, the Air Peace CEO stated that with just seven aircraft in 2014 when it started, the outfit has become the largest airline in West Africa with a fleet size of over 30 aircraft and over 26 more brand new aircraft on firm order.

The airline has also expanded its routes, now serving over 20 domestic destinations within Nigeria, seven international routes, and 10 regional locations across Africa.

“Our expansion has not only broadened our operational footprint but also created thousands of direct jobs and indirect employment opportunities within and outside Nigeria,” said the Air Peace boss.

Onyema emphasized that the 10th anniversary is not just to celebrate the airline’s achievements but also to appreciate the invaluable support they have received over the years from all Nigerians and other citizens of the world.