Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo has urged Nigerians to always patronise Air Peace and other local airlines flying international routes.
According to Keyamo, this is the only way regional airlines can withstand the fierce competition from international ones.
The start of Lagos-London flight services by Nigeria’s national airline, Air Peace, on March 30 was a historic event that many Nigerians rejoiced.
Following the achievement, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema claimed on 9 April that certain airlines were planning to force his company out of business by deliberately undervaluing tickets for the Lagos–London route.
According to the entrepreneur, the foreign airlines’ governments are supporting them to do this and take Air Peace out.
Speaking to TheCable on Thursday, Keyamo said while he cannot currently make a policy statement on what the Nigerian government will do to support Air Peace, President Bola Tinubu’s administration would continue to assist local entrepreneurs.
“The first thing is for Nigerians to fully patronise not only Air Peace but all indigenous airlines on international routes. Before the federal government does anything, let Nigerians patronise him and know that this is our indigenous airline,” he said.
“As for government, I cannot make any policy statement for the government now because I am a minister. Whatever we can do, we will discuss that behind the scenes. But it’s wrong for me to make a policy statement now.
“As I have said earlier, one of my main goals in office is to help Nigeria’s domestic airlines grow and improve, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Keyamo added that the federal government would continue to protect Air Peace and other Nigerian carriers that may seek to operate international service.
