Air Peace commences intl flight to Sharjah with over 80% load factor
Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
Air Peace weekend made an impressive entrance into the the International scene by air lifting 316 passengers in its inaugural flight to Sharjah
The 324 -seater aircraft airlifted an unprecedented 316 passengers to Sharjah of which actual paying passengers were 274 accounting for the impressive load factor.
The Anambra State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter while speaking at the Abuja airport before the flight took off, said Air Peace’s flights to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE) move would be of immense economic benefit to the country through massive employment, and earning of foreign exchange.
Obi said it was a major move towards economic resurgence of Nigeria.
Analysing the implication of this move, which he called “inaugural flight into the world”, Obi said: “the move would be of immense economic boost to the country through massive employment, and earning of foreign exchange as well as encourage competitive prizing and ready availability of flights.
On the imperative for support to the Airline by Nigerians, Obi, citing examples with the over 95 per cent patronage the people of Rwanda, Ethiopia and most countries that have International Airlines give to their airlines, Obi said he was confident Nigerians would patronise the Airline and see it as their own.
His words: “Air Peace deserves every support from patriotism point of view and, most importantly, because they have proved their professionalism in service delivery and other aspects of airline management.”
Meanwhile, the airline’s CEO, Barrister Allen Onyema feels the airline will thrive better and continue to provide employment to the teeming Nigerian youth, if it is supported by government as airline’s in other climes are.
Onyema who responded to questions after Air Peace at a dinner organised for a successful flight explained that with its price revolution, some players through their constituted authorities may come after them and that is where they need government’s backing.
“Of course we need support of government, it’s a give . Without this support of government, they will come after us. In other places government’s protect its airline’s and until we learn that protection, no matter how you try, you’d need your country to support you and check mate them.”
On the load factor, Air Peace Chairman expects a rise while stating that the airlines’ frequency of operations will give it room to review its operations and do it better subsequently until it perfects the route.
Onyema also used the opportunity to thank Nigerians who believed in the airline and flew them stating that despite the fact that AirPeace cannot match its competitors experience or capacity but would go a long way because of Nigerians’ support.
