AIR PEACE has denied in strong terms, reports attributed to its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, allegedly stating that government should stop granting multiple designations to foreign carriers and berating the government for continuously imposing multiple taxes and charges on the aviation operators.
The airline in a reaction today said the interview was two years ago and not recent and that since then the airline has changed its thrust on the issue as government has taken steps to change the narrative.
The airline in its statement also said it has received a notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of one of the west coast countries it flies into, stopping it from operating into and out of points beyond their country because the Nigeria has refused to grant a similar request to their Airline.
This shows that government is continuously reviewing the challenges faced by the airlines with a view to mitigating these challenges to create an enabling environment for our indigenous carriers.
The statement from the airline read, “We are stating categorically that this interview is not a recent interview. Mrs Olajide granted this interview about multiple designation almost two years ago. The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on assumption of office as the substantive Minister of Aviation, swung into action geared towards addressing all these complaints to the satisfaction of all the airlines in the overall interest of the Nation. He called several meetings with the airlines’ Chief Executives in order to find a lasting solution to the issues.
“Air Peace has since then praised the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing these issues.
“How could Air Peace be complaining about issues the airline has since commended the Federal Government for handling to the satisfaction of the industry?
We have, as an airline, in recent times, come under deliberate attacks from quarters that could no longer disguise their ugly intentions for an entity that is catering for over three thousand workers, an entity that is moving the Nigerian economy positively.
We see the publications as an attempt by some mischief-makers to put Air Peace at loggerheads with the government.
The news platforms releasing these publications are giving the impression that Air Peace as an airline does not appreciate the efforts of government.
Recently, Air Peace received a notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of one of the west coast countries we fly into, stopping us from operating into and out of points beyond their country. Their reason was simply; the Federal Government of Nigeria has refused to grant a similar request to their Airline.
This is a testimonial that the Honourable minister is continuously reviewing the challenges faced by the Airlines with a view to mitigating these challenges to create an enabling environment for our indigenous carriers.
Air Peace truly commends this great effort and will never undermine the laudable efforts of the minister and other regulatory bodies.
