The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that neither Air Peace nor its chairman, Allen Onyema, is under investigation. Instead, the Commission stated that its invitation to the airline was aimed at gaining insight into its pricing methodology and addressing consumer complaints.
The FCCPC’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, made this known in Abuja while hosting Onyema and his team, who had come to honor the invitation extended to the airline.
“Thank you so much for honoring our invite in person. We have gained more insight into your operations. Just again to reiterate that it is not an investigation; it is an inquiry to understand and, again, find out based on consumer complaints,” Adeyinka said.
She emphasized that the FCCPC exists to protect the interests of businesses, customers, and operators, while also ensuring business stability and sustainability. “We will review the situation and intervene where we can—not just for Air Peace customers, but generally for all air passengers and other consumers of aviation services,” she added.
Adeyinka also praised Onyema for his patriotism and philanthropic contributions, urging him not to be discouraged by the challenges he faces in the aviation industry.
Onyema Defends Air Peace’s Pricing Strategy
During the meeting, Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema shed light on the pricing challenges faced by airlines in Nigeria. According to Onyema, airfare pricing globally ranges between $250 to $300 per hour and, in some cases, as high as $540. However, Air Peace has not been able to implement such pricing due to the low purchasing power of Nigerians.
“Flying safe and ensuring the sustainability of airlines require proper pricing based on global standards,” Onyema argued. “The choice before Nigerians is either to prioritize flight safety and airline sustainability through proper pricing or to witness airlines go under due to poor pricing.”
Onyema further explained that the aviation sector in Nigeria is struggling due to operational costs and multiple charges, which are not reflected in ticket prices. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to the business out of a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve Nigerians. “For us at Air Peace, safety is a pre-condition rather than just a priority,” he said.
The Air Peace chairman highlighted the precarious situation many airlines face in Nigeria, warning that the sector’s survival depends on realistic pricing. “The cost of putting an aircraft in the air is not commensurate with the fare regime in Nigeria. This is why airlines frequently go under,” he lamented.
