Toyin Olajide, the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, revealed that all economy class seats on flights from Lagos to London have been fully booked for the next 60 days, starting from July. This announcement comes as Nigerian travelers, including a prominent travel agency, have praised the airline for initiating flight services to European destinations three months ago.
In a recent interview in Lagos, Olajide acknowledged the numerous challenges faced on this route. However, she expressed satisfaction that Air Peace had successfully provided Nigerians with an alternative travel option. According to her, the airline’s flight on Sunday, June 30, 2024, saw full occupancy in economy class, with 41 business class seats also occupied.
Olajide regretted that a system error had initially prevented the advertisement of first-class seats, but assured that this issue had been resolved by the management. She further explained that Nigerians traveling from the United States to the United Kingdom often book Air Peace flights to Lagos, benefiting from the affordability of US-Europe flights. By doing so, these travelers save a significant amount of money compared to direct US-Nigeria flights.
Additionally, Olajide highlighted that Chinese citizens residing in Nigeria choose Air Peace for their travels to London, where they connect with China Southern Airlines to reach China, thus reducing their airfare costs.
“But our system did not advertise our first-class seats, an error that has been corrected,” she stated. “So, what it means is that we recorded a very high load factor, only 12 seats in the first class and one business class seat; that is, 13 seats were empty out of the 274-seat capacity aircraft. We thank Nigerians. We appreciate the fact that they are happy with the airline.”
Furthermore, Olajide mentioned that Air Peace recently upgraded two passengers who flew from the US to London and then used their flight to Lagos. These passengers were moved from economy to business class as a token of appreciation for their loyalty. She pointed out that travelers take advantage of the inexpensive flights between Europe and the US, coupled with Air Peace’s affordable rates, to save considerable amounts of money.
The entry of Air Peace into this market has not only enhanced accessibility but also diversified the passenger base. Remarkably, the airline has attracted elderly passengers who could not previously afford high ticket prices post-pandemic, as well as students returning home for family events and reunions. This influx has resulted in a 5 to 15 percent increase in passenger numbers.
Olajide emphasized that Air Peace’s operations have significantly contributed to promoting Nigerian brands. Products like farm-fresh yoghurt, Gratia chin chin flakes, Olu Olu chips, and locally grown long-grain Nigerian rice have gained wider exposure and market reach.
“This ripple effect has benefited small businesses and local farmers who supply produce like tomatoes, peppers, and spinach, contributing to an economic expansion of over N2bn,” she added.
Recently, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced that the Federal Government had begun empowering Nigerian airlines to gain direct access to international routes to the United States and South American countries.
On March 20, Air Peace commenced its Lagos-London flight services. This strategic move has been met with positive responses, reflecting the airline’s growing influence and success in expanding its reach to European destinations.
Source: anambrapeople.com.ng
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