Double Honours as Air Peace, Onyema Steal Spotlight at Inaugural Nigeria Air Show
Air Peace Limited and its Founder/Chairman, Dr Allen Onyema, emerged the biggest winners at the maiden Nigeria International Air Show, held from 2nd to 4th December 2025 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as the airline clinched the prestigious “Airline of the Year” award while Dr Onyema was honoured as “Aviation Executive of the Year”.
The recognitions, presented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Yakubu Adam Kofamata, respectively, underscored both the airline’s phenomenal growth trajectory and Onyema’s visionary leadership, which have jointly reshaped Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
Founded in 2014 with a modest fleet of Dornier 328s and Boeing 737s, Air Peace has grown into the largest carrier in West and Central Africa, now operating a diverse and modern fleet including Boeing 777 aircraft and the advanced Embraer 195-E2 jets.
The airline’s consistent investment in fleet modernisation, safety, and capacity expansion has placed it at the forefront of African aviation.
Its rapid route expansion formed a major highlight of the accolade. After launching its landmark Lagos–London Gatwick service in 2024, Air Peace made history again in 2025 by inaugurating the first-ever direct Abuja–London Heathrow flight operated by a Nigerian airline.
The development signalled not only its bold entry into the competitive long-haul market, but also Nigeria’s re-emergence on the global aviation map.
These achievements, coupled with an extensive domestic and regional network, positioned Air Peace as a standout performer at the Nigeria International Air Show, with organisers citing its “transformative impact on connectivity, national pride, and continental aviation competitiveness”.
Dr Onyema’s personal honour as “Aviation Executive of the Year” mirrored the airline’s corporate success. The award celebrated his trailblazing leadership and unwavering commitment to using aviation as a platform for economic empowerment, national development, and global visibility.
From its inception, Onyema has championed Air Peace as a catalyst for job creation – employing thousands of Nigerians – and a unifying force linking underserved cities and regions.
His bold international aspirations, including restoring direct Nigeria–UK connectivity after years of absence, were highlighted as defining markers of his leadership.
The Abuja–London Heathrow service launched in late 2025 was particularly noted as a milestone that reasserted Nigerian aviation’s capacity to compete on major global routes.
Beyond business accomplishments, the Permanent Secretary lauded Onyema for “reshaping the identity of Nigerian aviation, proving that a homegrown carrier can not only operate safely and successfully but stand shoulder to shoulder with global competitors”.
As the inaugural Nigeria International Air Show concluded, industry stakeholders described Air Peace’s double victory as a defining moment for the sector.
The awards collectively cement Air Peace’s status as a continental aviation powerhouse and reinforce Dr Onyema’s reputation as one of Africa’s most influential aviation leaders – driving growth, restoring confidence, and expanding Africa’s connectivity to the world.
