Mixed Reactions to Air Peace, Azman, 4 Others’ Alliance

In order to improve service delivery to their customers, six Nigerian airlines have formed the ‘Spring Alliance’.

The carriers joined forces on March 8, 2022 in Lagos.
Air Peace Chairman and AON Vice-President Allen Onyema stated that the Alliance would benefit passengers flying with the six airlines.

The alliance is said to be modeled after the popular global airline alliances.

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Recently, all airlines increased their fares, with a one-way economy ticket costing N50,000 as opposed to N25,000-30,000 previously.

That’s why some experts urge caution and ask regulators to join the alliance to prevent it from becoming a price-fixing platform.

However, Onyema explained that the alliance would protect passengers if one of the airlines had a problem.

“This alliance will enable us to satisfy the flying public’s complaints,” he said.

At the same time, Onyema urged other airlines to join the alliance to take advantage of the alliance’s benefits.

He noted that other African airlines may wish to join the Spring Alliance.

“There are so many alliances that airlines can join,” he said. We have Star Alliance, One World, and others. And airlines decide to take advantage of those alliances for both passengers and airlines.

“Air Peace, Azman Air, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air & United Nigeria have decided to form what we call the Spring Alliance.

“It is called Spring Alliance. We decided to work together for the benefit of the flying public who uses these airlines.

“This alliance protects our passengers when one airline has a problem. This alliance will enable us to satisfy the flying public’s complaints.”

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Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, said the Spring Alliance is a historic step that prioritizes passenger satisfaction.

According to United Nigeria Airlines CEO Obiora Okonkwo, the alliance will revolutionize flight services for Nigerians, as passenger satisfaction is the main goal.

Capt. Ado Sanusi, former Managing Director of Aero Contractors, welcomed the partnership.

But, he said, the regulator must be aware of it.

“Airlines can join forces. Like international alliances where you coordinate with other airlines to assist in better outreach, interlining, code-sharing, and so on. All alliances, code-sharing, and everything is regulated in our domestic market. “At the end of the day, if the flying public pays more or the alliances do not serve the flying public, it is not in the interest of the aviation industry,” he stated.

“It is a welcome development, but it must be carefully examined for any hidden agenda.”

Sanusi also noted that the timing was incorrect, as the public was accusing operators of colluding to fix prices. But it is suspicious…”

Capt. Roland Iyayi recalled proposing a decade ago that airlines form a Domestic Network Alliance (DNA) to manage capacity.

“I suggested it over 10 years ago which I called Domestic Network Alliance,” said Iyayi, President of TopBrass Aviation. The idea is to better manage capacity among domestic airlines.

Six of them coming together shows that the industry has matured and that egos will be put aside to do what is best for the industry as a whole.

A ticket from any airline can be used on the next available flight. The fact that the industry is finally waking up to the reality is a good thing,” he said.

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“If it involves interlining, it is reasonable development among the airlines hoping that the FCCPC will not call it a cartel,” said aviation analyst Group Capt. John Ojikutu. My concern with the alliance is the number of routes involved. Who is dropping and picking up passengers is unknown.

According to him, the six airlines would primarily fly the triangle routes of Lagos-Abuja-Enugu-Owerri-Philippines. Others include Lagos/Benin/Osubi/Asaba. Other routes include Lagos/Abuja/Kaduna/Kano/Sokoto and Lagos/Abuja/Yola/Maiduguri. The alliance decides on the distribution of passengers and interlining fares on routes that do not cause conflicts. I wish them well.”