The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has revealed that the airline recorded 49 bird-strike incidents across Nigeria between January and September this year, describing the situation as a major setback for flight operations.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Sunday, Onyema said frequent bird strikes, heavy taxation and constant criticism from government agencies are some of the biggest challenges facing Nigerian airlines.
According to him, even a single bird strike can ground an aircraft for weeks, leading to flight delays and disruptions.
“Air Peace has had 49 bird strikes in Nigeria from January to September. One bird strike can cripple an aircraft for up to a month. When it happens, there’s no alternative. It causes serious delays and affects flight schedules,” he said.
Onyema also reacted to claims by some government agencies, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, that airlines are exploiting passengers through high fares. He described such allegations as unfair and insensitive to the realities of running an airline in Nigeria.
“We in the Airline Operators of Nigeria are tired of the constant bashing. It is painful when these attacks come from government agencies that should understand our challenges. Using words like ‘exploitative’ and ‘price-fixing’ is very unfair,” he said.
He dismissed claims of coordinated price-fixing, explaining that ticket prices vary depending on demand and how early passengers book their flights.
“It is not true that all tickets cost 400,000 or 500,000 naira. You can still find tickets for 150,000 naira. During festive periods, people buy early, and on the same flight, some passengers may pay 125,000 naira while others pay 350,000 naira,” Onyema explained.
The Air Peace boss insisted that domestic air travel in Nigeria remains among the cheapest globally.
“We still sell tickets for as low as 115,000 naira, which is less than 60 dollars. Nigerians are flying some of the cheapest domestic fares in the world,” he said.
On taxation, Onyema said multiple levies imposed on airlines take a heavy toll on revenue.
“From a ticket of 350,000 naira, only about 81,000 naira goes to the airline. The rest is taken as taxes and charges. This level of multiple taxation is unsustainable,” he stated.
He also raised concerns about aircraft damage caused by ground handling companies, citing costly incidents involving Air Peace aircraft.
“One of our brand-new planes, worth over 85 million dollars, was damaged by a ground handler. The engine alone costs about 18 million dollars, and the damage has cost us millions,” he said.
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Onyema further disclosed that one of the airline’s Boeing 777 aircraft was grounded for three years due to engine issues, only for the replacement engine to be damaged by a ground handler upon arrival.
After securing a new engine, he said it was pierced by ground handling equipment, an act he described as sabotage.
Calling for reforms, Onyema urged the government to reduce multiple taxes and allow capable airlines to handle their own ground operations to improve safety and efficiency.
Despite the challenges, he said Air Peace remains committed to offering safe, affordable and reliable air travel.
“We are doing our best, but the system is working against us. Without urgent reforms and better support, it will be difficult for Nigerian airlines to survive and grow,” he concluded.
