Air Peace targets Dubai, London, five other destinations in 2019
From Nigeria’s domestic routes to regional destinations in Africa, Air Peace has unveiled plans to start long-haul flights to Dubai, Sharjah, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg come 2019.
The airline announced in a statement issued by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Chris Iwara, that it was prepared to break through the highly competitive odds on international routes with customer-centric travel packages that are unique.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, was said to have urged all staff of the airline to live up to their duties and responsibilities effectively with a view to raise the bar of flight services to the travelling public in 2019, as the airline seeks to become the toast of passengers and the most preferred brand for the travelling public.
In the build-up to starting operations on international routes, the airline assured that Nigeria and the West African region will be made proud with regards to affordable, safe and convenient flight services on the routes.
According to the airline, plans were at the final stage of doing demonstration flights with its Boeing 777 aircraft to Sharjah, Dakar, Freetown, Johannesburg, Port Harcourt and Kano, as part of the process to induct the aircraft into its service.
“2018 was both challenging and exciting for us. It was the year we upped our record of firsts. In the year under review, we launched a number of domestic and regional routes under our no-city-left-behind project on the platform of our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper. We also made history as the first domestic airline to acquire and register the Boeing 777 aircraft in Nigeria. We have so far acquired four Boeing 777s, with two already delivered.
“We also successfully renewed our International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) after a very rigorous process. We also diversified the aircraft in our fleet with the inclusion of six 50-seater Embraer 145 jets, which have so far helped our Yuletide operations in no small way. The real big leap came in September when we signed a deal with American plane maker, Boeing for the delivery of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, making us the first to achieve the feat on the West Coast of Africa.
“We are sincerely grateful to our loyal customers without whose support, preference for our brand and patronage we could not have made a success of the target we set for ourselves in 2018. It was quite a challenging year too, given the dire economic situation across the world, but our esteemed customers supported us through it all,” the airline said.
The airline added that because of its customers, it was able to face the storm in 2018 and the previous years, and would do everything it takes to serve them better.
Going forward, Air Peace said will focus on broadening opportunities to give its customers greater comfort, beginning with the extension of its operations from its hub at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) on January 2, 2019.
It also confirmed that its Lagos-Kaduna, Lagos-Asaba, Lagos-Akure and Lagos-Port Harcourt NAF Base flight operations would be moved to MMA2 from January 2. The facility, it said, would eventually handle all flights under Air Peace Hopper, Air Peace’s subsidiary.
This expansion would “create more space for it to provide exceptional flight services in an atmosphere of comfort,” the airline said.
“In 2019, we are going to implement a series of bolder decisions aimed at giving the flying public a truly exciting experience. Already, we have begun the expansion of our flight operations to the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) in response to our customers’ wish for a better space to serve them. This becomes effective January 2, 2019 with the operation of our Lagos-Akure, Lagos-Asaba, Lagos-Kaduna and Lagos-Port Harcourt NAF Base services from the facility. All flights under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper will eventually be moved to MMA2.
“We are also going to give the flying public a reliable, safe, affordable and comfortable alternative on some international routes, including Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai, London, Houston and Johannesburg. Already, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has prepared members of staff for the task ahead.
“Our staff have been wonderful with their commitment and dedication to duty through the years, but 2019 is one year all hands must be on the deck to give our customers the best flight experience on the domestic, regional and international routes and make our dear country, Nigeria and West Africa truly proud in the global aviation industry,” Air Peace said.
