How African Countries Discriminate Against Nigerian Carrier, Air Peace – Onyema

Air Peace, a leading Nigerian airline, faces significant challenges due to exorbitant airport charges imposed by various African countries, according to Chairman Allen Onyema. Speaking at the 48th Annual General Meeting and exhibition of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) in Lagos, Onyema outlined how these charges are a deliberate effort to frustrate his airline’s operations across the continent.

Onyema revealed that while Ghana remains accommodating, other African countries continue to impose excessive fees on Air Peace, making it increasingly difficult to operate within their borders. He highlighted that while African carriers freely operate in Nigeria, the reverse is not true for Air Peace.

“It took us four years to get approval to fly into a West African country while their airline has been coming into Nigeria for many years. When we eventually started flying, they tried to push us out with exorbitant charges, asking for $12,000 per landing,” said Onyema. He emphasized that this practice undermines the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.

Onyema shared examples of exorbitant charges imposed on Air Peace, including a demand for four million euros in fees. When the airline sought clarification on these charges, they received no response, only further obstructions. In one case, after paying the requested fees, the authorities claimed the account no longer existed, requiring a new payment. In another instance, a French court ruled against Air Peace, validating the charges without providing a clear explanation of how they were calculated.

Despite these challenges, Air Peace continues to provide valuable services to its customers. Onyema noted that the airline’s flights from various Nigerian states to London via Lagos save passengers significant amounts on domestic travel. He also mentioned that this ability to adapt has contributed to the airline’s longevity in challenging markets.

Addressing the broader theme of the event, Hassan Tai Ejibunu, Director of Air Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, highlighted the importance of unlocking Africa’s economic potential through travel and tourism. He stressed that initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) require cooperative efforts to ensure seamless travel and trade across the continent.

Ejibunu outlined a five-point agenda to support the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector, emphasizing safety, infrastructure development, human capacity building, and revenue optimization. These objectives align with the broader goals of fostering intra-African business and investment.

Overall, the AGM highlighted the challenges facing Nigerian carriers like Air Peace and the broader vision of creating a cohesive and integrated African aviation market. Despite the obstacles, industry leaders remain committed to promoting economic growth through improved travel and tourism across the continent.