After a seven-year journey, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace Airlines, Allen Onyema, recently shed light on the arduous process behind obtaining designation to operate in London
During an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme, Onyema revealed that despite facing numerous challenges, including internal and external conspiracies, Air Peace Airlines persevered for seven years to secure the necessary designation to fly into London.
He lamented that, despite obtaining the designation six and a half years ago, the airline encountered hurdles that prevented it from commencing operations into the UK.
Onyema emphasised that the acquisition of three Boeing 777 aircraft was primarily intended for this route.
The CEO discussed the complexities of international aero politics, describing the process of obtaining a Technical Country Operator (TCO) permit as fraught with difficulties.
He recounted how Air Peace’s application for the TCO permit was initially denied by Nigerian authorities, causing setbacks in the approval process.
In his words, “You suffer what I call both internal and external conspiracies. It took us seven years. We got the designation, I think, about six and a half years ago, to go into London. Since then, it has been a cat-and-mouse game.
“We actually procured our three 777s because of this route, not for any other route,… However, we were not allowed to go.
“Whether you like it or not, there is what is called international aero politics which is very dirty. We applied for the TCO.
“TCO means Technical Country Operators Permit; you must get that one before you start going into any European country, UK inclusive.
“And the TCO organisation from Europe wrote to our Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority: Do you know Air Peace? Do you know about their designation? And we were denied. My own country denied us, so they threw it back.
“We went back to the NCAA; they said, oh, we didn’t tell them. Who designated us, the Federal Ministry of Aviation, whose duty it was and still is to do that. We said okay, we’re ready. They refused, they said until they allow us to apply.
“So, we got designation from the federal government, and the NCAA, under the same federal government, was telling us that we should not make any application towards going into the UK.”
Despite facing setbacks from both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Onyema stressed the importance of indigenous airlines receiving support from the Federal Government.
He advocated for a conducive business environment and greater support for local airlines to thrive and overcome challenges.
“In our own country, what we are pleading – I like when you said support – the ease of doing business, let them even do that for the indigenous airlines and see us blossom, instead of badmouthing these airlines that pass through all manner of problems,” he stated.
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