The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, on Thursday, shared an emotional experience from his entrepreneurial journey, revealing that he wept after acquiring his first aircraft.
Onyema recounted the touching moment in a video released to mark the 10th anniversary of Air Peace, which was established in 2013.
The airline began operations with Dornier 328s and Boeing 737s and has since grown into Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier, launching its first international flight to Accra, Ghana, in 2017.
Onyema, looking back on his modest start, described the experience as touching.
He said that thinking about the day he purchased his first aircraft, the Dornier 328, still evokes strong feelings for him.
He recalled traveling to Monaco with Engr. Gbolahan Abatan to negotiate the purchase.
“We finalized the deal at the airport in Nice, France, and then flew the aircraft to Bournemouth, England. As we soared through the skies, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I kept thinking, ‘Did I really just buy an aircraft?’ It was overwhelming,” Onyema recounted.
He explained that the official delivery of the plane was signed mid-flight over international waters before landing in Bournemouth.
“It was a surreal moment. I was crying in the aircraft, while Gbolahan sat beside me, witnessing the significance of what we had achieved.”
Onyema added that his passion for aviation continues to grow.
“Even today, seeing our planes take off and land gives me immense satisfaction. It’s thrilling to look up at the sky, spot an aircraft, and know it belongs to Air Peace. It’s an addictive feeling.”
During an interview in April, Onyema revealed that Air Peace currently has over 30 aircraft in operation and has also made orders for 33 more planes, demonstrating the airline’s continuous expansion and dedication to growing its fleet.
