Air Peace, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest airline, marks 11 years of transformative service to the country and humanity. To mark the milestone, the airline will, in the next 48 hours, launch two new routes connecting Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja) to London Heathrow and Gatwick, complementing its existing Lagos–London Gatwick operations.
The airline had prepared for this expansion by acquiring a Boeing 777-200ER last August, bringing its wide-body fleet to four aircraft. This strategic move strengthens Air Peace’s presence in the competitive London market, long dominated by foreign carriers.
The Nigerian aviation sector has seen high attrition, with 21 airlines folding in just 24 years due to accidents, regulatory pressure, or mismanagement. Air Peace, however, has not only survived but thrived, growing from a small charter service with seven aircraft in 2014 to West Africa’s largest airline today.
Its evolution mirrors the biblical mustard seed: small beginnings yielding monumental growth. From three Dornier 328s and four Boeing 737-500s to over 38 aircraft serving 30 destinations, Air Peace has continually responded to public demand, extending its wings domestically, regionally, and internationally.
Chairman and CEO Allen Ifechukwu Onyema revealed ambitious international expansion plans, including direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo, Brazil, and Antigua and Barbuda, cutting travel time and opening new corridors for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Beyond business, Air Peace has demonstrated profound social responsibility: evacuating Nigerians from crises in South Africa and Sudan, delivering medical supplies during COVID-19, and creating 1,000 graduate trainee positions to develop local aviation talent. Plans are also underway for a N32 billion Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos, set to create over 50,000 jobs while training Nigerian professionals to manage the aviation infrastructure.
At 11, Air Peace exemplifies vision, resilience, and service. As the airline continues to expand its horizons, the challenge now lies in consolidating achievements, upholding its mission, and listening to stakeholders — ensuring that the story of Nigeria’s aviation success continues to soar.
