The chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, has applauded Fidelity Bank for backing the airline at inception, despite the general reluctance of financial institutions to invest in aviation.
Onyema made the remark at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce Members’ Evening and Induction Ceremony held recently in Lagos.
He recalled how the erstwhile managing director of the financial institution, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, approved critical financing that enabled Air Peace to acquire its first aircraft.
“Without the boldness of Fidelity Bank at a time when no Nigerian bank wanted to touch aviation, there might not have been an Air Peace today. The success of this airline belongs to those who stood with us in our early days when the odds were stacked against us,” he said.
He emphasised that aviation remains one of the most capital-intensive industries globally, noting that even legacy carriers such as British Airways and Delta rely heavily on institutional financing.
On the London operations, Onyema stated that both the Nigerian and British governments key roles in making the airline’s flight to that European city possible.
“Our London flights are not just about moving passengers but about moving hope — the hope of a continent determined to trade fairly, travel freely, and prosper fully.
“The direct Lagos–London Gatwick service, launched earlier this year, has already reshaped the Nigeria–UK travel market, offering affordable fares and reducing travel time by eliminating long layovers. With Abuja–London flights set to commence in October, Air Peace is deepening its role as a bridge for bilateral growth,” he added
In his remarks, Okonkwo affirmed that Air Peace’s presence in the Chamber will further drive synergies between aviation and trade.
