The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has commended Fidelity Bank Plc for successfully repaying its $400 million Eurobond at maturity, describing the achievement as evidence of the bank’s financial strength and sound management.

Onyema particularly applauded the bank for financing the repayment entirely from its internal liquidity after meeting its obligations throughout the five-year tenure of the Eurobond.

In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Air Peace Limited, the airline chief attributed the achievement to the strategic leadership of Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.

He noted that the bank’s successful repayment of the Eurobond, alongside its completion of the recapitalisation exercise ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s stipulated deadline, demonstrated its commitment to sound corporate governance and sustainable financial management.

Onyema also highlighted the importance of financially strong banking institutions to the growth of capital-intensive sectors such as aviation, where access to financing is critical for fleet expansion, operational sustainability and industry development.

He stressed that resilient financial institutions and strong partnerships with indigenous businesses were essential to strengthening Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and supporting national development.

The Air Peace chairman congratulated Onyeali-Ikpe, the bank’s Board, Management and staff on the achievement, expressing confidence in the institution’s capacity to record greater milestones.

He also reaffirmed Air Peace’s goodwill towards Fidelity Bank, wishing the financial institution continued growth, stability and greater accomplishments in Nigeria’s banking industry.

Air Peace has appointed Captains James Adaviruku Onipe and Ikechukwu Paul-Ugochukwu as Director of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot, respectively, as the airline strengthens its operational leadership structure.

The appointments, which take effect on November 1, 2026, will see the two experienced pilots assume key responsibilities in flight operations management, pilot training, safety and operational standards.

Onipe currently serves as the airline’s Embraer 145 Fleet Manager and Trainer/Check Airman. With almost 20 years of aviation experience across multiple aircraft fleets, his expertise covers flight safety, crew proficiency, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Paul-Ugochukwu, who has 22 years of experience in the aviation industry, currently serves as a Boeing 777 Type Rating Instructor and Check Airman, with responsibilities that include pilot training, technical proficiency and maintaining operational standards.

The appointments follow the elevation of the outgoing Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano, and the former Chief Pilot, Captain Martin Okunpolor, to higher positions within the Air Peace Group.

Their elevation has created the opportunity for Onipe and Paul-Ugochukwu to take over the respective flight operations leadership positions as the airline continues to develop its management structure.

The changes form part of Air Peace’s efforts to strengthen its pool of experienced aviation professionals and sustain operational standards as its business expands.

The airline said the appointments reflect its commitment to recognising professional experience, promoting career advancement and building leadership capacity to support its operations.

Air Peace congratulated the two pilots on their new positions and expressed confidence in their ability to contribute to the airline’s operational objectives.

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) plans to commence commercial cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January 2027, with daily passenger services also in the pipeline as the state government advances infrastructure upgrades.

The airline’s Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, announced the plan on Monday during the commissioning of Reeve Energy Limited’s aviation fuel tank farm at the airport, saying the carrier was ready to support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods from Ekiti to markets across Nigeria and, eventually, overseas.

Okonkwo said the airline would be ready to commence cargo services once the state government was prepared to begin commercial exports from the airport. He pledged that United Nigeria Airlines would be the first carrier to lift commercial cargo from the facility when operations begin.

“By January next year, we will activate a cargo section of our flights so that we can work out a deal. As soon as you are ready to start exporting cargo from here, whether to other parts of Nigeria or beyond, we will be ready,” he said.

He added that the airline intended to introduce daily passenger flights to Ekiti, subject to the completion of ongoing airport infrastructure improvements.

The airline chairman described the commissioning of the fuel tank farm as an important development that would support flight operations and provide a foundation for future expansion at the airport.

Okonkwo said reliable aviation fuel supply was particularly important to the airline, which he described as Nigeria’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace.

He explained that the Ekiti State Government selected United Nigeria Airlines for the partnership after assessing the operational capacity and fleet strength of domestic airlines, rather than following an application or lobbying process by the carrier.

According to him, the airline had sustained its commitment to the state by maintaining services even during periods of low passenger demand.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said his administration was committed to completing the airport’s ongoing infrastructure projects by the end of 2026 to improve its operational capacity and attract further private-sector investment.

Oyebanji said the planned improvements included an upgrade of the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the installation of aerodrome ground lighting to support operations beyond daylight hours.

He put the estimated cost of the ground lighting project at more than ₦10 billion, adding that the completed system would enable aircraft to land at the airport at any time, subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements.

The governor also disclosed that the state government was pursuing an Independent Power Producer arrangement to ensure a reliable electricity supply for the airport and reduce dependence on external power sources.

He commended Reeve Energy Limited for investing in the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for businesses.

The planned cargo service could open additional routes for Ekiti’s agricultural produce and other goods, while the proposed daily passenger flights would improve the state’s air connectivity. Their implementation will depend on cargo-export readiness, infrastructure completion and the relevant operational requirements.