News Investigators/ Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace Ltd., Allen Onyema, has called for harmonised regulations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom to smoothen corridors, reduce bottlenecks, cut delays and expand trade.
Mr Onyema made the call on Thursday night in Lagos at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) members evening and induction ceremony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had as its theme: “Trade without Borders: Aviation as a Catalyst for Bilateral Growth between Nigeria and UK”.
Mr Onyema said that Nigeria and the United Kingdom shared a long history of partnership, with trade today valued at nearly eight billion pounds annually.
He, however, said that for years, people and businesses bore the burden of limited access, high costs, and dependence on foreign carriers.
This, he said, resulted in missed opportunities, exporters unable to meet timelines, students and professionals paying more than they should, with airlines forced to spend billions annually maintaining aircraft abroad.
The aviation entrepreneur emphasised the need to implement bilateral agreements with fairness and reciprocity, reduce bottlenecks in cargo clearance while continuing government’s strong support for indigenous operators.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for reforms in the sector.
Mr Onyema also lauded the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Johnny Baxter, for facilitating Air Peace’s entry into the UK market.
He said that their efforts in promoting ease of doing business and ensuring fairness in the skies gave indigenous players the courage to expand boldly and represent the country proudly.
“Aviation should not be seen as a luxury but an economic lifeline, reducing trade costs, attracting investment, boosting tourism and strengthening people-to-people ties.
“Aviation as we all know it is more than aircraft in the skies.
“It is the invisible thread that binds nations together, carries commerce across oceans, and turns ambition into opportunity.
“When a flight takes off, it is not just a journey; it is a bridge, carrying our people, our produce, our pride, and our possibilities,” he said.
Mr Onyema also said that Air Peace was proud to be Nigeria’s flag-bearer and its only indigenous airline currently connecting Nigeria directly to UK, adding that it will soon start its Abuja–London flights in October.
He said that the airline recently broke ground on what will soon be Africa’s largest Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, right at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“Spread across 34,000 square metres, with an investment of N32 billion, this facility will create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
Mr Onyema also called for support for Dangote refinery and other indigenous enterprises, stating that crippling Nigeria investment is unpatriotic and could increase insecurity.
At the event, he gave consent for a Nigeria made coffee presented to him to be served on the Air Peace flights.
Abimbola Olashore, President, NBCC, said that Onyema, through Air Peace, had demonstrated resilience, patriotism, and a commitment to excellence that reflected the very values of the chamber.
Mr Olashore said that Onyema’s leadership in aviation had not only strengthened connectivity for Nigeria, but has also showcased the potential of Nigerian enterprise on the global stage.
He urged the chamber’s new inductees to be more committed contributing to the chamber’s shared vision of prosperity.
He said that they could do that by bringing their unique perspectives to the table, and helping to shape the future of bilateral business relations.
NAN