Okonkwo who spoke with newsmen in Lagos after joining the
inaugural flight of Air Peace to London declared, “United Nigeria Airlines Is
Next.
“Today is our day of victory, our success, our Air Peace
inaugural flight to London. “
The United Nigeria Airlines chairman who is the spokesman of
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said Air Peace had proved that the local
operators are capable.
“There is no doubt that very soon the next that would come
on board would be United Nigeria Airlines.
“For us who are involved, who understand the situation the
operators are facing in Nigeria, this is a confirmation and certification that
yet no matter what happens, we can make it,” he said.
The AON spokesman stated that the operators are not
unmindful of the fact that the foreign competitors would come up with policies
to frustrate Air Peace but urged Nigerians to see it as their own.
“I only think that we should expect the worst but only if
Nigerians would allow that to happen. Air Peace needs every solidarity and
support and other operators that would come on stream,” he said.
He commended the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, on his policy to ease aircraft acquisition for local operators even as he called for a special window of foreign exchange to ease monthly payment to lessors.