To provide affordable travel options for Nigerian families and reunite students with their loved ones, Air Peace has announced discounted student fares for its new London route.
This was revealed during the airline’s travel agents forum in Lagos, where Chairman Allen Onyema emphasized the importance of managing these special fares to prevent abuse while ensuring accessibility for students.
Onyema acknowledged the plight of parents who have been separated from their children due to high travel costs, stating, “Many students have not been home for over two years because their parents cannot afford return fares to London.” He further expressed his personal commitment to keeping families connected, citing his own experience with his children studying abroad.
“I set up Air Peace to create jobs for Nigerians,” he stated, emphasizing that the initiative is driven by a mission to provide the best travel options for Nigerians.
While specific fare details were not disclosed, Onyema assured that Air Peace fares would be more affordable than those offered by legacy airlines. Currently, economy class return tickets from Nigeria to London can cost as much as N1.6 million due to factors such as foreign exchange fluctuations and trapped funds.
Bankole Bernard, chairman of Airlines and Passengers’ Joint Committee (APJC) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), praised Air Peace’s London flight as a step towards balancing trade relations and reducing reliance on foreign carriers. He expressed optimism that the new route would bring about a significant fare reduction of up to 50 percent.
Chief Operating Officer Oluwatoyin Olajide highlighted the importance of the London route for Air Peace, marking its entry into the European continent. The airline plans to operate the service with modern Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering direct flights and competitive fares.
