With the support from the government on the Brazil deal, Air Peace boss, Chief Allen Onyema is excited that the airline is making waves across the globe. The London route has captured thirty percent of the market. In this interview, Onyema believes that the Brazil route is a game changer. CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO, was at the media briefing on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja from Brazil. Enjoy the excerpts
Can you relate your experience in this trip and then what you intend to do after Brazil entrance?
Well, it was a good one out there in Brazil. President Lula, during his address to the countries and the government, also talked about air peace.
When he said that he was very glad that West Africa’s largest airline to implement the BASA, because they were all looking forward to it. That was President Lula. And our own President also was very happy with what was happening.
So both countries endorsed air peace to implement this BASA. Because they believed that we could do it. And, of course, it is going to open up both countries.
It was a good thing that the President has been doing some of these shots to open up the country and also attract investment. They signed a lot of MOUs there that are going to change things.
One thing that really impressed me is the fact that they are seeking the kind of partnership that will respect our sovereignty. The kind of partnership that will be symbiotic in implementation. Not the one that will be parasitic or bullish.
That is the kind of partnership the President has been seeking. To be honest with you, I saw it first hand. They love the Brazilian presidential.
The Brazilians are so eager to work with Nigeria. And they are over and above us in so many things, technology and all. And they are ready to let those things bear for our use.
The connectivity now becomes a problem. Most of these Nigerian ministers are travelling. So I travelled on Thursday.
I travelled on Saturday. I got there before them. Because they were going around the world.
Some spent two days before they got to Brazil, meanwhile it is seven hours. I took my 777, myself alone and two of my staff only. Because I did not want to go around the world. And I hit Brazil immediately, and within seven hours I was there.
So coming back is a thing of pride that we brought back our people. We gave them some confidence and short time in their trip. Which was very, very convenient. And it was a demonstration of what to expect when we start operations towards the end of this year, quarter four of this year.
So before now, you have an ongoing relationship with Brazil. Because you made a firm offer of Embraer aircraft. Some of them have come in. Do you think that also contributes to this kind of relationship?
Well, it is true that we ordered about 21 planes from Brazil. Five E175 and 16E2.
Five of them have entered the country already. And we are increasing our partnership with Embraer. By September 17th, we are going to inaugurate our new foundation. We are trying to build a maintenance hangar for MRO, which Embraer will provide the maintenance support to. We have a maintenance center in Nigeria for Embraer jets here in Lagos. We are going to lay the foundation on September 17th.
And within 12 or 15 months, that maintenance hangar will be ready. And we will be ready to go. Embraer will provide maintenance support to the maintenance center. And it will attract a lot of huge opportunities to this country. No longer going after the country to go and do maintenance checks.
We will do it here. And other countries will come to Nigeria to do it. I have to thank the government really. They have made it easy for us to get some of these things going by removing those obstacles that inhibit business. So business progress.
Well, if you say… I don’t… Maybe… I don’t think it’s because we invested in Embraer that is why… No, when you look around, Air peace is the only airline that has the capacity now, for now, to do international operations. It is not being boastful.
That is the reality. We are the ones that could jump in easily and start making things happen. So both presidents went for Air peace. Both presidents endorsed Air peace to do it.
Let’s look at the potential market. How do you see the potential market on both sides?
There are potentials there because, you know, Brazil has a huge population of Africans in diaspora. But our brothers, our Yoruba brothers, when you go there, we saw some people speaking Yoruba.
And they have not been to Nigeria before. They are Brazilians. That was very heartwarming for me. And they dress like our people too. So, we have a huge population. Over 100 million people. Wole Soyinka was around to even address them.
You see, the Brazilian story is like the Nigerian story too. We have a lot in common. So, the potentials are there.
And we are not just going to service Brazil alone. We are going to service the entire South American continent. On September 1st, I am going to have a meeting with the vice president of Colombia. And they have sent for me also. So, they all want it.
And they believe that Air peace could do it because of what we are doing in the Caribbean too.
What should Nigerians and Brazilian passengers expect in terms of pricing, services and all others?
Of course, you have seen our London. I mean, the facts speak for themselves. What we have done with London, Air peace brought down drastically the cost of international travel in this country. Whether anybody wants to take it, it’s up to them. Because when we announced that within 24 hours, so many airlines, I won’t name them, lost their passengers immediately.
Passengers were cancelling their flights. One passenger cancelled, used the money to buy for two members of the family on Air peace and still have change. Even after losing some money as penalty. And it continued like that. Remember before Air peace came on board, the business class was hitting N15, N16 million for six hours flight.
We came with N4 million. Everybody now is struggling to do N6 million. So, it is not about Air peace alone.
I mean, it is about our nation. Even if you don’t want to fly Air peace, fly the other international airlines. But fly them at the right fare.
Not exorbitant or demanding some kind of fares that… I don’t know how to qualify. But they were outrageous then. But now everybody is struggling because Air peace has provided a competition.
Already we are controlling over 30% of the market within one year. And now we are going to add Abuja Heathrow and Abuja Gatwick. It is going to be a game changer. The good thing about it is for our nation. I am so happy for Nigeria and Nigerians.
It is not about me. And that is why when I talk about President Tinubu’s foresight in some of these things, it warms my heart that our president does not see me as an Igbo man. President Tinubu does not see me as an Igbo man. He sees me as a Nigerian entrepreneur who is contributing to the success of his country. And he has shown me so much love. You could see it in some of the videos.
He moved over the place, holding me and encouraging me and all that. He even invited me on some occasions to be in the villa to encourage me. Even when he knew or when he discovered that I was kind of feeling not wanted.
And what happened in Brazil was awesome. When your president stood for you, the other president stood for you, the other president was all over and both presidents endorsed your airline. So it is something we should be proud of like Nigerians. Instead of demonizing ourselves every time.
Partnership is key in driving this quick win we have just achieved. Are you looking at interline?
I may not be naming names now because of clauses. We have started talking already. We signed NDA clauses. Definitely it is going to happen. And the government will support it. Their own government will support, Nigerian government will support.
What happened in Brazil is unbelievable. It is not just about aviation alone. The exchange, the technology exchange and so many things the Brazilians are ready to help.
They are really ready to help. I can’t stop thanking the president for making it happen because it is going to help our youths. Tourism is there, everything.
It is a huge country. Brazil is like nine times bigger than Nigeria. So we are going to benefit from them, they are going to benefit from us.
And once they capture Nigeria, they capture Africa, black Africa. And that is what they are trying to do.
Some people are putting dates, October 7th as commencement date?
We never announced any dates. But we want to start quarter four. That is the last quarter of the year. We are going to undertake another set of trips to Brazil to make it happen. Everybody in Brazil is so excited about this. Even the CAA, everybody is so excited about it.
And they believe that we can make it happen. They believe in us.
