…Airline Eyes Expansion
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, have received top industry honours at the 9th National Tourism Transportation Summit and Expo (NTTSE) 2026.
This comes as the airline moves to deepen its presence across the African aviation market.
Air Peace was presented with the Nigeria’s Largest Airline & Regional Expansion Leadership Award, while Onyema received the Aviation Leadership & Continental Connectivity Award for his contribution to expanding air connectivity and strengthening economic links across Africa.
The awards were presented during the summit’s gala night at the Banquet Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, coming just days before Air Peace begins services to four additional African destinations.
The airline is scheduled to commence flights from Lagos to Bamako in Mali, Conakry in Guinea, Douala in Cameroon and Libreville in Gabon from August 1, further expanding its regional network.
The latest expansion is expected to strengthen direct air links between Nigeria and major commercial centres in West and Central Africa, while creating additional opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.
Air Peace has increasingly positioned its regional expansion as part of a broader strategy to improve intra-African connectivity and reduce the dependence of African travellers on connecting flights through overseas hubs.
Speaking on the awards, Air Peace spokesperson, Efeoghene Osifo-Whiskey, expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the recognitions as an affirmation of the airline’s commitment to reshaping the African aviation landscape through strategic route expansion.
She said the airline remained committed to expanding connectivity and creating more efficient links between Nigerian cities and destinations across the continent.
Also speaking at the event, Onyema’s Special Assistant on Communications, Hawa Alege, said the award reflected his vision of using aviation as a tool for African unity, economic growth and stronger relationships among nations.
According to her, Onyema has consistently promoted the idea that improved air connectivity could serve as a catalyst for greater economic cooperation and integration across Africa.
The latest recognition comes as Air Peace continues to build on its expansion beyond the Nigerian market.
From its roots as a domestic carrier, the airline has grown into a major Nigerian aviation operator with an expanding network across Africa and selected international destinations.
Its expansion drive has included the introduction of regional and long-haul routes designed to connect Nigerian travellers directly with key African and global destinations.
The airline’s latest route expansion is also coming against the backdrop of renewed efforts to improve intra-African trade and connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified poor air connectivity and high travel costs as major obstacles to the movement of people and businesses across African countries.
Air Peace’s growing regional network is expected to help address part of the challenge by providing more direct connections between economic and commercial centres.
The planned Lagos-Bamako, Lagos-Conakry, Lagos-Douala and Lagos-Libreville services will further position Lagos as a key gateway into West and Central Africa.
Beyond passenger traffic, the expansion is expected to support tourism, business travel and commercial exchanges by making movement between Nigeria and other African markets easier.
For Air Peace, the NTTSE awards therefore come at a significant point in its growth trajectory, recognising both the airline’s expanding market presence and Onyema’s role in championing greater African aviation connectivity.
The airline said it would continue to pursue route expansion and initiatives capable of strengthening Nigeria’s position as a major aviation hub while contributing to the broader objective of a more connected and economically integrated Africa.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
