Nigerian airline Air Peace claims it has plans to launch flights to the United States before the end of the year. We’ll see how this plays out, as this sure could get interesting…
In this post:
Air Peace plans Lagos to Houston & New York flights
Air Peace is Nigeria’s largest airline, and it’s also privately owned. The airline has a fleet of nearly 30 jets, comprised of Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraer E195-E2s, and Embraer E145s. Aside from the new Embraer jets, the carrier’s fleet is certainly a bit outdated — the airline flies former Emirates 777s, and 737 variants include the 737-300 and 737-500.
The airline has been growing considerably, and recently launched its most exciting route yet, to London. Following the carrier’s expansion to the United Kingdom, the airline is now setting its sights on the United States.
In a recent interview, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema stated that the airline hopes to launch flights to the United States before the end of 2024, with plans to fly from Lagos (LOS) to Houston (IAH) and New York (JFK):
“We are planning to hit New York or Houston towards the end of the year because we are bringing in more 777s. As I speak to you, my staff are in California, the engineering technical services department; they’re in California inspecting three 777s we want to buy. So, if we could get them in the next two or three months, then of course, we are good to go anywhere.”
Now, I certainly wouldn’t take the timeline as fact:
- Expanded service relies on the airline acquiring more Boeing 777s, which isn’t necessarily a quick process
- Executives at the airline have been talking about launching service to the United States for many years, but with London service now a reality, perhaps flights to the United States are closer to becoming a real possibility
Nigeria and the United States have an Open Skies agreement, which means that Air Peace could quite easily start this service, if it were ready. While the airline would have to file for permission with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approval wouldn’t be complicated, given that no additional bilateral negotiations are required.
Currently, two airlines from the United States fly to Lagos — Delta operates a route out of Atlanta (ATL), while United operates a route out of Washington (IAD).
For what it’s worth, both of the routes that Air Peace is considering were previously operated by US airlines. Delta flew from New York to Lagos until 2022, while United flew from Houston to Lagos until 2016.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s Arik Air used to fly from Lagos to New York using A330s that previously flew for Kingfisher Airlines, with a ridiculously cool-looking business class product. Unfortunately the airline no longer flies wide body aircraft.
The Houston route would cover a distance of 6,512 miles, while the New York route would cover a distance of 5,250 miles.
I really want to fly with Air Peace…
I’ve gotta be honest — while I don’t have any immediate plans to fly with Air Peace, the airline is probably in my top five of airlines I’d be very curious to experience. There’s very little out there about the carrier’s 777 business class, and I’d be fascinated to know what it’s like.
Since these are former Emirates jets, I know what to expect from the hard product, though I’d be mighty curious what the soft product is like. I believe at least one of these 777s used to have first class, though it doesn’t look like the airline is selling first class anymore, unless I’m missing something. Does anyone know what happened there?
Air Peace has certainly been a controversial carrier since it launched, from its safety record, to questions about the CEO’s finances, to the way that the airline goes about demanding slots at busy airports (though it’s not totally unlike what JetBlue does). Perhaps all of that adds to the intrigue.
Bottom line
Air Peace’s CEO claims that the airline plans to launch flights from Lagos to both Houston and New York before the end of 2024. The company is reportedly in the process of acquiring more 777s, though we’ll see how that plays out. The airline has had the goal of flying to the United States for years, though with the pace at which Air Peace is growing, maybe this will finally become a reality.
Do you think Air Peace will launch flights to the United States?
I like air peace, I took the flight from Abuja to ph, round trip, it was good. If air peace is coming to Houston, that will be so nice and I trust, they will come
There ya flight review on YouTube about an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Johannesburg. If they aircraft they plan to operate to US are anything like that 777, I suggest you save your money.
Air piece should launch flight from Houston to Nigeria Abuja or Lagos as quickly as possible. Houston is the hob of Nigerian diasporians and represents the core, bread and butter of Nigeria outside Nigeria apart from London which is an extension of Lagos . Fly to Texas and discover tremendous Nigerian paytronization at the highest will to pay ur prize just name it
Air piece should launch flight from Houston to Nigeria Abuja or Lagos as quickly as possible. Houston is the hob of Nigerian diasporians and represents the core, bread and butter of Nigeria outside Nigeria apart from London which is an extension of Lagos . Fly to Texas and discover tremendous Nigerian paytronization at the highest will to pay ur prize just name it
I will be happy to see this dream come true. My appeal goes to all Nigerians in USA to please be patriotic if it happens. Fly Air Peace even if you have to pay a few dollars more. I will encourage Air Peace to partner with Southwest Airline in US. This domestic airline will bring passengers for Air Peace from all over the US. It is going to be the game changer of the century in the aviation industry.
Air peace ✌, forward ever, the lord God almighty will continually be with you my brother, in all your trips on international routes God almighty will preserve your safety in Jesus christ mighty name Amen, many of us your brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers are happy with you here in America .
If long haul is anything like short haul on AP, you really DON'T want to fly them.
I've been reading some hilarious Nigerian articles about their LOS-LGW route recently. First, incumbent LOS operators to Europe are trying to destroy them by lowering their prices (increase in supply lowers prices overall - Economics 101) and, even more ridiculously, Gatwick Airport is trying to destroy the airline by forcing late departures and placing check-in desks in a...
If long haul is anything like short haul on AP, you really DON'T want to fly them.
I've been reading some hilarious Nigerian articles about their LOS-LGW route recently. First, incumbent LOS operators to Europe are trying to destroy them by lowering their prices (increase in supply lowers prices overall - Economics 101) and, even more ridiculously, Gatwick Airport is trying to destroy the airline by forcing late departures and placing check-in desks in a part of the airport which had luggage belt breakdowns. Good grief.
Why would Gatwick be trying to destroy an airline? It's in an airports best interest to be able to boast as many airlines and destinations as possible!
@ChrisW - it comes down to the Government of Nigeria claiming that Gatwick airport management is discrimatory because they took almost an entire week before publishing on Twitter / X a welcome message to Air Peace while they welcome other airlines in just 1-2 days after their launch.
You do not understand colonialism. Britain sees Nigeria as their private property. They’re interested in who does what in Nigeria starting with rigging pre-independence elections and census count. Ticket price falling from $3000 to $800 overnight is not Econ 101. It’s an anti-competitive effort to run air Peace out of the route.
@Okafor - Oga, if you do some research you will see that Gatwick Airport Limited's largest shareholder is Global Infrastructure Partners, whose Chairman and Managing Partner is Adebayo Ogunlesi. Effectively, Gatwick Airport is controlled by a Nigerian. Or is Bayo also part of the colonial conspiracy?
Surely you don’t know what you’re saying because Allen Onyema have been acquitted by the Atlanta district court
https://guardian.ng/news/us-court-acquits-air-peace-boss-fines-mayfield-4000/
They are doing well currently in the Lagos to London route. Barely 2 weeks after launch, frequency was increased from 5 to 7 weekly. I don't think profitability of this route should be a question, it's a lucrative route, they can make it work.
But my doubts are in for Houston, NewYork might work, but Houston is doubtful.
The prices on the Lagos to London route has dropped drastically since they launched.
Economy has...
They are doing well currently in the Lagos to London route. Barely 2 weeks after launch, frequency was increased from 5 to 7 weekly. I don't think profitability of this route should be a question, it's a lucrative route, they can make it work.
But my doubts are in for Houston, NewYork might work, but Houston is doubtful.
The prices on the Lagos to London route has dropped drastically since they launched.
Economy has dropped from $4,200 to $1,100
Premium Economy $5,100 to $2,500
Business from $6,400 to $4,600
First class from $9,800 to $7,000
These are round trip fares for a flight similar in length and time as NewYork to London, 6.5hrs flight.
@ZEPHYR -
Those figures are inaccurate.
Yes, there has been a reduction in real airfares due to additional capacity in the market, but the reality is that the Naira has also appreciated in value in this same period so not all of this is attributable to Air Peace. On the lower end, there are indirect fares on carriers like TK/ET in the 800k Naira range right now ($650) off-peak. And the same indirect fares...
@ZEPHYR -
Those figures are inaccurate.
Yes, there has been a reduction in real airfares due to additional capacity in the market, but the reality is that the Naira has also appreciated in value in this same period so not all of this is attributable to Air Peace. On the lower end, there are indirect fares on carriers like TK/ET in the 800k Naira range right now ($650) off-peak. And the same indirect fares were around 1.2m Naira a few months ago, which was the same value in USD terms. You can't compare an airfare being quoted at an 1800 Naira rate to one at a 1280 Naira rate. Also keep in mind that airlines sold tickets under the previous administration at between 200-400 Naira and have taken huge haircuts when repatriating their money after 5+ years in many cases!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eChlH0DuToU
I was on NewsCentral TV in Nigeria last week to discuss this in more detail, including specific numbers and reasoning if you want to have a deeper dive beyond the rhetoric that is being bandied about.
You have not explained why Nigerians for years could no longer afford direct flights to London and instead they fly through places like Dubai and other capitals, if they can still afford to. $3000 for 6.5 hrs flight may sound palatable when #200 buys the $ but not today. Either way, the foreign airlines are still fleecing Nigerians. Please stop spouting the nonsense from these airlines. They are now charging what resembles JFK to LHR...
You have not explained why Nigerians for years could no longer afford direct flights to London and instead they fly through places like Dubai and other capitals, if they can still afford to. $3000 for 6.5 hrs flight may sound palatable when #200 buys the $ but not today. Either way, the foreign airlines are still fleecing Nigerians. Please stop spouting the nonsense from these airlines. They are now charging what resembles JFK to LHR rate that’s about the same duration.
There's a reason why I gave my figures in dollar rate rather than Naira, I know it's been unstable for a while.
I understand that the exchange rates where higher during those times.
I looked at it from a perspective of someone booking from the US with Dollars rather than Naira.
Foreign airlines arguments previously about high airfares isn't actually exchange rates related, rather it's about the trapped funds, as they couldn't get there...
There's a reason why I gave my figures in dollar rate rather than Naira, I know it's been unstable for a while.
I understand that the exchange rates where higher during those times.
I looked at it from a perspective of someone booking from the US with Dollars rather than Naira.
Foreign airlines arguments previously about high airfares isn't actually exchange rates related, rather it's about the trapped funds, as they couldn't get there any money out of for a period of 6+ months.
Soo they used the higher fares to compensate.
Irrespective of how you look at it, Nonstop fares look a bit reasonable at ₦800k, but I have seen both virgin and BA fares around ₦800k for a direct flight just this week.
This American Airlines are greedy so Air peace should humble them on that route Nigerians are committed to supporting our own airline, even if it cost more . It’s a national pride issue now
From Me Big congratulations to Air Peace.
It's good for the airline to enroute Europe to gather more passengers. This will enable the airline to stabilise these 2 routes. Atlanta is definitely a lot busier than New York and Houston.
Fly Air Peace ️
Congratulations my brother.You have made us proud.You have represented Nigerians both home and abroad despite other tribes jealousy and theirs hates to the Igbo's is like a moon which hands can not cover.No matters the amount of hates,we must shine.The blessings is from above,Which is from God himself.Thanks and may Jesus/Allah God be with you and be your strength.As you're moving Nigerians to the next level before the end of this year.
The Air Peace Lagos-London Gatwick flights are operated by Norse 787s - i would expect the same tie up initially unless there are issues with 787s operating Lagos-US routes
They have one of there 3 B777 in for maintenance.
The other 2 already have routes assigned to them.
The B777 in maintenance will be out by June/July and the Norse Atlantic B787 arrangement is scheduled to end at around the same time.
@Zephyr
5N-BWI (773) just came out of maintenance 2 weeks ago and is now operating KAN-JED
5N-BVE (772) is operating LOS-LGW and the occasional KAN-JED
5N-BUU (773) has been parked in Lagos for around 18 months now
5N-BUU is supposed to be in maintenance, at least that was what was said during Christmas season when they had to bring in multiple A320 wet lease to cover the excess demands and lack of capacity.
There're rumours that Dubai routes will be coming back sometime this summer for both ways (Emirates and Air peace)
Tel Aviv will be suspended for longer.
Mumbai, Guangzhou might be back too.
Johannesburg (visa rules dependent) operates for now with E195-E2
Ben, Remember your past enthusiasm for TAAG.
I have flown TAAG in the past out of necessity. I can't say that I flew either Arik Air or Air Peace, but I did fly Air Nigeria a lot in the 1980's, maybe 90's if they still existed (not sure). Beware of what you wish for.
This seems anyway to be an academic question as, with the CEO's history as related by Sean M.,the success of Air Peace application is dubious at best
If it's 1980-1990, then it's Nigeria Airways.
Air Nigeria wasn't launched till 2004.
They're 2 different companies.
There is no fraud case against him and he is not a fugitive from justice. An elementary check on Google would reveal this. Stop spreading lies..
*ahem*
"Allen Onyema, the founder of Air Peace airline, is still wanted in the United States after his alleged conspirator in a $20 million bank fraud case was sentenced by an American court on Friday."
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/562624-allen-onyema-on-the-run-from-us-fraud-charges-as-crime-partner-is-convicted.html?tztc=1
Notwithstanding the Open Skies BASA between the US and Nigeria, there is still the need for Air Peace to obtain a US DOT Part 129 permit.
This may be harder than expected given that their CEO is currently a fugitive from a warrant issued by the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia after being indicted on 27 counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud,...
Notwithstanding the Open Skies BASA between the US and Nigeria, there is still the need for Air Peace to obtain a US DOT Part 129 permit.
This may be harder than expected given that their CEO is currently a fugitive from a warrant issued by the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia after being indicted on 27 counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, and three counts of credit application fraud.
With a financial history like that he should run for POTUS.
Who are you fronting for?
He's not a fugitive.
His charges have been dropped.
The media is quick to spread negative news and forgets to update when it's something good.
https://guardian.ng/news/us-court-acquits-air-peace-boss-fines-mayfield-4000/
https://businessday.ng/news/article/allen-onyemas-indictment-us-govt-admits-no-loss-suffered-by-any-bank-law-firm/
The charges against both Allen and Ejiro have not been dropped. Read the full article and you will see that it simply is based on an "assertion of innocence" rather than any court finding of innocence. The only charges that have been tried were against the co-conspirator Ebony Mayfield, who was convicted and sentenced. Neither Allen nor Ejiro's cases have come to court as they are still fugitive at large from the warrants issued.
United couldn't make Houston-Lagos work despite years of trying;
Specialty carriers like SonAir have failed on their Houston-Africa ventures despite years of market presence;
Longer ranged private jets have made it easier for higher yielding passengers (to the extent that they travel to these sites) to get there directly, by their own means...
...meaning that the primary remaining bulk traffic on Houston-Africa, will be the blue collar grunts who'll travel en-masse via the cheapest...
United couldn't make Houston-Lagos work despite years of trying;
Specialty carriers like SonAir have failed on their Houston-Africa ventures despite years of market presence;
Longer ranged private jets have made it easier for higher yielding passengers (to the extent that they travel to these sites) to get there directly, by their own means...
...meaning that the primary remaining bulk traffic on Houston-Africa, will be the blue collar grunts who'll travel en-masse via the cheapest way to get there, that usually being a connection in Atlanta or Europe in basic economy.
So I'm not sure who this airline plans to attract with a LOS-IAH, but good luck to them, in the process.
IAH-LOS is very different from IAH-LAD - there is a huge Nigerian immigrant community in Houston in addition to oil traffic. Of course the question, as always, is how much the VFR passengers are willing to pay. Perhaps it could work if this airline has low enough labor costs compared to UA.
Oh, and if they start IAH-LOS, I wouldn't be surprised to see UA immediately relaunch it in retaliation...
The Houston to Lagos market is currently approx. 48k passengers per year in 2023, down from a peak of 80k in 2018. The market is shrinking rather than growing, even while markets like Atlanta to Lagos have grown from 36k to 48k in the same period. Draw your own conclusions from that data.
How do you guys get these figures and data? Is it publicly available data?
These data's are not accurate to the last.
Someone flying Houston to Washington or Houston to Atlanta or even to Europe might not be documented as Houston to Lagos traffic.
I understand that they take into account connecting traffic, but the general figure should be more than that.
All Nigerian airline have lower labour costs than industry average.
Flight Attendants probably be making 40-60% less than United.
Pilots might be around 20-40% less.
Living in Nigeria is cheaper than the States, Soo there's no need for them to make that much.
Ben,
There isn't "an" open skies agreement. The agreements are bilateral, and open skies is a philosophy. So U.S. and Nigeria have an open skies agreement.
While this will give them clearance from DOT, they'll still need FAA clearance on safety/operational aspects.
It won't happen, although Lagos-Houston isn't necessarily a horrible idea.
A family member used to take the Houston-Luanda and v.v. flight regularly back in the day (not Air Peace, obvs). Does that route still exist anymore?