Fidelity Bank celebrates Air Peace for commencing scheduled flights to London
Nigeria’s Fidelity Bank Plc recently hosted a grand celebration in honor of Air Peace for its monumental achievement in launching scheduled flight operations to London, United Kingdom.
The event, held at the Civic Center on Sunday, April 21, 2024, saw an illustrious gathering of aviation stakeholders, media personalities, and well-wishers of both brands.
Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, lauded Air Peace for its remarkable strides and financial discipline throughout its operational journey.
She expressed gratitude for Air Peace’s loyalty as a client and celebrated the airline’s milestone in initiating direct flight services to London and other future accomplishments.
“Air Peace has been very loyal to us. We are grateful to have them as our client and we are celebrating their milestone of launching direct flight service to London and other milestones they will achieve,” she said.
Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, reflected on the challenging journey to the airline’s current success, acknowledging the support of the flying public, aviation stakeholders, media, and government.
He particularly recognised the instrumental role played by former DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engineer Ben Adeyileka, in securing the airline’s Airline Operator Certificate (AOC).
Onyema extended appreciation to Fidelity Bank for its unwavering support, emphasising the bank’s significant contribution to Air Peace’s success story.
He described the partnership between the airline and the bank as a journey, highlighting Fidelity Bank’s commitment to real business and poverty alleviation.
“I call it our journey with Fidelity Bank. I did not envisage this day would come when an indigenous institution would be celebrating another indigenous institution. Fidelity supports real business. They keep removing people from the streets of poverty. Let other banks emulate Fidelity”, he said.
Stressing Air Peace’s commitment to job creation and societal impact, Onyema reiterated that the airline was established with the primary goal of empowering Nigerians economically.
“Air Peace was not borne out of the intent to profiteer but to create jobs. Air Peace was not established because I wanted more money but because of the conviction that running an airline would create massive job opportunities. That was why we went into aviation”, he remarked.
He underscored the airline’s humanitarian interventions, including numerous evacuation flights during critical times, demonstrating the airline’s dedication to the Nigerian project and economic growth.
Addressing the newly launched London service, Onyema called for Nigerians’ support to sustain the route.
He noted the convenience of flying to London from any domestic route, urging passengers to seize the opportunity for seamless travel.
“For every penny you pay to Air Peace, you pay to sustain the jobs of thousands of Nigerians and support economic growth.
“Air Peace flies you from any of our domestic routes to London. So, you can fly from Yola to London via Lagos. From the local airport, you are taken to the international airport free of charge with a seamless luggage transfer”, Onyema affirmed.
Onyema pledged Air Peace’s adherence to safety standards while commending the efforts of the airline’s management and staff in realising the London dream.
In a passionate plea, Onyema urged unity as Air Peace transcends ethnic boundaries, being a Nigerian airline serving the entire nation.
He advocated for love and broad nationalism, urging all Nigerians to support the growth and success of indigenous institutions like Air Peace.
“Let’s shun ethnic nationalism and spread love and broad nationalism. Air Peace is not an Igbo airline. It is a Nigerian airline that belongs to two hundred million people”, Onyema added.
