Onyema Credits Fidelity Bank’s Bold Support as Pillar of Air Peace’s Growth.

Chairman of Air Peace Limited, Dr. Allen Onyema, has paid glowing tribute to Fidelity Bank and its former leadership for backing the airline at inception, despite the general reluctance of financial institutions to invest in Nigerian aviation.

Speaking at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce Members’ Evening and Induction Ceremony on September 25, 2025, Onyema recounted how Dr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, then Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, approved critical financing that enabled Air Peace to acquire its first aircraft.

“Without the boldness of Fidelity Bank at a time when no Nigerian bank wanted to touch aviation, there might not have been an Air Peace today,” Onyema declared. “The success of this airline belongs to those who stood with us in our early days when the odds were stacked against us.”

He emphasized that aviation remains one of the most capital-intensive industries globally, noting that even legacy carriers such as British Airways and Delta rely heavily on institutional financing.

Onyema’s acknowledgment underscores the critical role of strategic financial partnerships in developing Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. His remarks were met with applause from guests, including NBCC President Prince Abimbola Olashore, who praised Air Peace for transforming Nigeria’s presence in global aviation.

Since its launch in 2014, Air Peace has grown into West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, now operating domestic, regional, and long-haul flights, including the direct Lagos–London Gatwick service. The airline continues to expand, with the Abuja–London route set to commence in October, and a world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility under construction in Lagos.