Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, is accusing foreign carriers of deliberately lowering ticket prices on the lucrative Lagos-London route in an attempt to push them out of the market.
Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television. He called the alleged strategy a “devilish conspiracy” and a “cash cow” for foreign airlines who receive government support from their home countries.
“Why are they doing that? Because their governments are supporting them,” Onyema said. “Nigeria has been a cash cow for everybody.”
Onyema expressed concern that if foreign airlines succeed in driving Air Peace out, Nigerians will face significantly higher fares in the future.
“The idea is to take Air Peace out,” Onyema warned. “The moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians will pay 20 times over. It is going to happen, if they succeed in taking Air Peace out, God forbid.”
The accusations come just weeks after Air Peace launched its inaugural direct flight from Lagos to London Gatwick Airport on March 30th, 2024. This move marked a significant expansion for the Nigerian airline and potentially increased competition on the route.
Onyema called on other Nigerian airlines to join the fray, stating, “Yes, international aeropolitics is very dirty but somebody must pay the price.”
Representatives of foreign airlines operating the Lagos-London route have not yet responded to Air Peace’s accusations.
Aviation analysts are watching the situation closely. Some believe that a price war could benefit Nigerian passengers in the short term, but could ultimately harm the domestic airline industry if Air Peace is forced out.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for further updates.
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