Air Peace Soars: Heathrow, Caribbean & “Wow” Service

Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, is embarking on a significant expansion, promising enhanced services and exciting new routes for African travelers. Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, unveiled the airline’s ambitious plans at a press conference in Lagos, highlighting key developments that will reshape the landscape for travel professionals across Africa.

A major announcement regarding new aircraft acquisitions is expected within weeks, bolstering Air Peace’s fleet and enabling further optimization of domestic and regional schedules. This expansion will allow the airline to increase flight frequencies and potentially introduce new routes within Nigeria, enhancing connectivity and offering travel agents more options for domestic travel.

Air Peace continues to strengthen its West African network, with existing services to Douala, Dakar, Banjul, Abidjan, Monrovia, Accra, and Freetown. Expansion plans include new routes to Congo and Libreville, Gabon, further solidifying the airline’s regional presence and opening new opportunities for travel agents specializing in West African destinations.

The airline’s international expansion is gaining momentum, with its daily London service performing exceptionally well. Starting October 26th, Air Peace will commence daily flights from Abuja to London Heathrow, a significant achievement that reflects the airline’s strong safety record and operational excellence. This new route will provide seamless connectivity between Nigeria’s capital and London, offering travel agents a premium option for their clients.

In addition to Heathrow, Air Peace has also secured seven days of operation at London Gatwick. The airline plans to strategically allocate these slots, potentially offering four days to Heathrow and three days to Gatwick from Abuja, ensuring daily connectivity and flexibility for travelers. Travel professionals can leverage these multiple London options to cater to diverse client preferences and budgets.

Air Peace is set to make history in September by venturing into the Caribbean, with Antigua as its first destination. Successful validation flights to St. Kitts and Nevis demonstrate the airline’s capability for long-haul operations, opening exciting new possibilities for travel agents seeking unique and profitable travel packages. This pioneering move positions Air Peace as a leader in connecting Africa with the Caribbean, a market with significant untapped potential.

Addressing previous concerns about on-time performance, Dr. Onyema outlined a new strategy implemented in May that has resulted in a consistent OTP of over 85%. This improvement involves keeping reserve aircraft on standby for immediate deployment in case of operational disruptions, minimizing delays and enhancing reliability. This commitment to punctuality will boost confidence among travel agents and their clients, making Air Peace a more attractive option for time-sensitive travel.

Air Peace is poised to revolutionize customer service with a groundbreaking initiative set to be unveiled soon. Dr. Onyema promised a “wow” experience for passengers, with dedicated customer service personnel in distinctive uniforms providing personalized assistance. This innovative approach, never before seen in the aviation industry, sets a new standard for customer care and offers travel agents a unique selling point for Air Peace flights.

Dr. Onyema expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support, acknowledging their role in the airline’s success and international recognition. He emphasized that Air Peace remains committed to serving the nation with pride and excellence, continuing to innovate and expand its services to meet the evolving needs of African travelers. Travel professionals across Africa can partner with Air Peace to leverage these exciting developments and offer their clients enhanced travel experiences.

Air Peace’s expansion has significant implications for the African aviation landscape. The airline’s strategic focus on regional and international connectivity, coupled with its commitment to customer service and operational efficiency, positions it as a key player in the continent’s growing aviation market. Travel agents can capitalize on these developments by incorporating Air Peace’s expanded network and enhanced services into their offerings, catering to a wider range of client needs and contributing to the growth of air travel within Africa and beyond.

The airline’s projected weekly seat capacity on its London routes, based on its current long-haul fleet, is estimated at 2,182 seats. This capacity is split between Heathrow (1,096 seats) and Gatwick (1,086 seats), providing ample options for travelers. This substantial capacity underscores Air Peace’s commitment to serving the lucrative London market and offers travel agents a significant inventory to work with.

Air Peace’s entry into the Caribbean market is a game-changer for African aviation. This move opens up new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Africa and the Caribbean, a region with historically limited direct air links. Travel agents can leverage this new connectivity to create unique multi-destination itineraries and cater to the growing demand for travel between these two regions. This pioneering initiative positions Air Peace as a leader in bridging the gap between Africa and the Caribbean, offering travel professionals exciting new avenues for business growth.