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Air Peace subsidised the recent evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa, chairman Allen Onyema has revealed, saying the airline absorbed part of the cost because the federal government’s contribution did not cover the full operation.
How Air Peace subsidised the flight
Asked whether he meant the flights that brought citizens home on June 11, Onyema replied plainly: ‘Yes… I subsidised it.’ He said the carrier stepped in to bridge the funding gap despite the mounting financial pressures facing the aviation industry.
Onyema added that he has carried out about 16 evacuations for the country free of charge over the years, operations that he said have cost several millions. He also urged Nigerians leaving South Africa to ignore anyone demanding large sums for seats on rescue flights.
Why the evacuation was needed
The airlift responded to a wave of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa. Several affected countries began moving their citizens home as a June 30 deadline for migrants from African nations to leave the country approached, raising fears for the safety of Nigerians caught in the unrest.
Air Peace has built a reputation for emergency repatriations, positioning itself as a national carrier willing to act when crises strike abroad.
An industry under strain
Onyema used the moment to highlight the harsh realities facing domestic carriers. He said the operating environment has become increasingly difficult, pointing to a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices, with the cost of jet fuel having quadrupled.
High fuel costs, expensive financing and foreign-exchange pressures have squeezed Nigerian airlines, threatening routes, schedules and the broader goal of a strong local aviation sector.
Why it matters
That Air Peace subsidised a government-linked evacuation underscores both the goodwill and the financial burden carried by private operators during national emergencies. It raises questions about how such humanitarian missions should be funded so airlines are not left out of pocket.
For thousands of Nigerians abroad, the airlift was a lifeline. For the industry, it spotlighted the urgent need to tackle fuel costs and financing if local carriers are to remain viable and ready to respond to the next crisis.
The cost of being the rescue airline
Air Peace has positioned itself as a go-to carrier in times of crisis, repatriating Nigerians from conflict zones and emergencies over the years. While the missions burnish the airline’s image and national standing, they also carry significant costs that are not always reimbursed, raising questions about the sustainability of relying on a private operator for emergency airlifts.
Industry stakeholders are calling for clearer frameworks on how such evacuations are funded and coordinated between the government and carriers. A transparent arrangement, they argue, would ensure rapid response without leaving airlines to shoulder losses. With the broader sector battling high costs, any model that protects both citizens in distress and the financial health of operators would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to respond to future crises abroad.
Viorah TV will keep following the safe return of Nigerians from South Africa and the pressures shaping the country’s aviation sector.
