By Margaret Tyam

Mr Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air Peace Airlines says he ventured into airline business to address youth restiveness mostly caused by unemployment.

He said this when he visited the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam in Abuja

“The challenge of youth restiveness mostly caused by unemployment gave me the courage to start up an airline business

“Airline business is capable of creating direct and indirect jobs for thousands youths and my airline now have over 40 aircrafts.

Onyema said he was also concerned about the recurrent air accidents that being recorded in the nation’s airspace before he ventured into the business.

Consequently, the CEO said he decided to go for the best aircrafts and ensure their regular maintenance to address the challenge.

He said it was antithetical that, although, he suffers acrophobia (an anxiety disorder that involves intense fear of heights) yet, he ventured into airline business.

Onyema said the phobia, however, made him to take the best decision in running his airline business.

“I have phobia for flying and felt the fear was created from news of re-occurring air accidents.

“When I started air peace, I decided that I must go for the best maintenance of my aircrafts to make a difference from the incidences of the past,” he said.

He thanked the NCPC for choosing his airline for the airlifting of pilgrims for the 2022 Christian pilgrimage.

” You choice of Nigeria Air Peace is very desired for conducting direct flight operations into and out of Israel.

“Air Peace has long been  in a cordial relationship with the Israeli,” he added.

In his remarks, the NCPC boss thanked Onyema for his visit to discuss how to improve the transportation of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Pam also thanked the Air Peace CEO for providing jobs for the youth through his airline.