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Experts seek support for local carriers on international routes

 Experts have called on the Federal Government to build support systems around indigenous flag carriers operating intercontinental routes in order to create more jobs, strengthen the naira and ultimately reduce the demand for foreign currencies.

A player in the financial sector and Head Strategic Communications (South), Bank of Industry, Hadiza Oyewumi added her voice for government support to indigenous carriers and other home brands after her flight experience on a recent Air Peace Jeddah / Kano.

She said her overall experience during the five hour flight points to the need for more Nigerians to embrace initiatives designed to make the country great through support and patronage of indigenous brands that will trigger economic growth and other attendant multipliers effects.

Oyewumi said: "I was deeply touched and felt proud of being a Nigerian. And as a development  banker who is inclined to  nurture home-grown brands to become global players, I took note and pictures to encourage others to also embrace initiatives designed to make Nigeria great again by patronising and supporting Nigerian brands.If we patronise Nigerian firms'  products, demand for foreign currencies would drop, the Naira will be strengthened, more jobs would be created and all of us will benefit from the attendant positive multiplier effects."

She said the calibre of high net worth individuals , many top  government officials , including the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal , confirmed that more Nigerians who hitherto patronized Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines , Turkish Airlines and other carriers are now looking in the direction of Air Peace.

"Another thing that struck me most was the unanimous consensus  amongst Nigerians from all parts  that Air Peace  must be massively patronised, supported and heavily protected.

 "Governor Dauda Lawal said he is a strong advocate of grow Nigeria and would prefer to point out lapses that require improvements to Allen  Onyema rather than patronise other airlines on routes that are operated by Air Peace.

"As a development practitioner, I kept pondering on the extensive positive developmental impact that Air Peace’s foreign flight operations is having on the Nigerian economy," she added.

Meanwhile, Fidelity Bank Plc at the weekend hosted a celebration in honor of Air Peace for its flight operations to London.

 Its Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, lauded Air Peace for its remarkable strides and financial discipline throughout its operational journey.

She expressed gratitude for Air Peace’s loyalty as a client and celebrated the airline’s milestone.

Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, reflected on the challenging journey to the airline’s current success, acknowledging the support of the flying public, aviation stakeholders, media, and government.

He particularly recognised the instrumental role played by former DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engineer Ben Adeyileka, in securing the airline’s Airline Operator Certificate (AOC).

Onyema extended appreciation to Fidelity Bank for its unwavering support, emphasising the bank’s significant contribution to Air Peace’s success story.

He described the partnership between the airline and the bank as a journey, highlighting Fidelity Bank’s commitment to real business and poverty alleviation.

“I call it our journey with Fidelity Bank. I did not envisage this day would come when an indigenous institution would be celebrating another indigenous institution. Fidelity supports real business. They keep removing people from the streets of poverty. Let other banks emulate Fidelity,” he said.

Stressing Air Peace’s commitment to job creation and societal impact, Onyema reiterated that the airline was established with the primary goal of empowering Nigerians economically.

He underscored the airline’s humanitarian interventions, including numerous evacuation flights during critical times, demonstrating the airline’s dedication to the Nigerian project and economic growth.

Addressing the newly launched London service, Onyema called for Nigerians’ support to sustain the route.

He noted the convenience of flying to London from any domestic route, urging passengers to seize the opportunity for seamless travel.