The managing director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has commended Air Peace and restated the bank’s resolve to continue to partner and collaborate with the airline.
Spokesman for the airline, Mr. Stanley Olisa said in a statement on Monday that Onyeali-Ikpe made the declaration at a ceremony to receive the airline’s third Embraer 195-E2 last Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
She stated that when Air Peace disclosed its plans to buy 13 new aircraft from Embraer, she thought it was a joke because of cost but that the bank worked with the airline to actualise the objective.
Onyeali-Ikpe said since Air Peace started doing business with the bank seven years ago, the airline has exhibited high fiscal discipline and prudence thus prompting the bank to go with the domestic carrier “as far as it wants to go.”
She assured that the bank would continue to collaborate with the airline and work with it all the way.
“It is a major success for a local player to have the level of financial discipline that this company has. So I commend you, and we will work with you all the way to any level that you want. I also want to thank the staff of Air Peace and celebrate with Mr. Allen Onyema; he is the strength behind all of these.
“We are here today (Thursday) to welcome the third aircraft. We have collaborated with Air Peace for so long and I can tell you that with determination and commitment, the vision and purpose that there is nothing you cannot surmount,” she said.
Also speaking, the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah said: “It not easy to do business in Nigeria today, especially in the aviation industry.”
He said many airline operators were discouraged from buying new aircraft because of the huge cost.
He however commended the chairman of the airline, Mr. Allen Onyema whom he described as “an astute businessman and the only operator still bringing in new aircraft.”
He said the southeast zone would continue to give support to Air Peace because “it represents the Nigerian flag.”
