Air Peace, a prominent Nigerian airline, has stirred controversy after its CEO, Allen Onyema, and cabin crew members were observed wearing the traditional Igbo attire, Isi Agu, as they boarded the airline’s plane for its inaugural flight from Lagos to London.
News About Nigeria reported that the airline officially launched its Lagos-London flight services on Saturday, which is a big milestone in its operations.
This development follows the announcement made a month earlier during a prelaunch forum organised by the airline in February, where plans to commence direct flight operations to London on March 30 were unveiled.
The decision to initiate Lagos-London flights came after Air Peace’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed in November that the airline had successfully secured the necessary permits, including the Foreign Carrier Operator Permit and Third Country Operator Permit.
However, a video surfaced online over the weekend showing Onyema with some cabin crew members wearing the Isi Agu attire, which is traditionally associated with the Igbo ethnic group, as they prepared to embark on the inaugural flight.
Upon the video’s circulation on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, a disagreement ensued among users.
Some netizens accused the CEO of promoting tribalism by allowing his cabin crew to wear Isi Agu attire.
However, others have defended the decision, arguing that individuals should have the freedom to wear attire that represents their culture and heritage.
Meanwhile, the airline cut the cost of its economy class ticket to N1.2 million, which is way less than the N3.5 million charged by foreign airlines.
This move challenges British Airways, which used to be the main carrier on this route.
Air Peace is now offering direct flights from Lagos to Gatwick, London, creating direct competition with British Airways.
The airline recently shared its flight schedules for the London service, set to begin on March 30, 2024.
