Africa’s Air Peace to invest in LIAT 2020

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Antigua and Barbuda’s government has entered into a partnership with Air Peace, Africa’s biggest private carrier, to enhance investments in LIAT 2020 Ltd.

The collaboration involves both parties investing in LIAT 2020, an Antigua-based airline, through cash and other assets, with Air Peace acquiring a majority stake.

The objective is to establish an airline capable of meeting the demand for inter-island connectivity in the Eastern Caribbean.

LIAT 2020 is expected to provide secure and dependable air transport services for passengers and cargo across the region and beyond, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Foreign Minister, E.P. Chet Greene, stressed the government’s commitment to the carrier’s revitalization, which is critical to the Caribbean region’s social and economic progress.

He also expressed gratitude for Allen Onyema’s continued interest in investing substantially in LIAT 2020.

Allen Onyema, Air Peace’s Chairman, pledged to create a successful and sustainable airline.

Air Peace, Africa’s largest privately owned airline, operates a fleet of over 38 aircraft and has over 3,000 employees, serving markets in Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and Israel, with plans to expand into Europe.

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25 COMMENTS

  2. So what has happened to the Chinese investor?
    …and what has happened to the major shareholders of Liat? Dominica, st. Vincent & Barbados. Were these share holders consulted?

  3. Wikipedia
    Air Peace Safety concerns and cover-ups

    In 2019, the Accident Investigation Bureau (Nigeria) accused Air Peace of persistent failure to report serious incidents and accidents involving its aircraft. Some issues cited by the AIB included failure to report incidents that resulted in structural damage and erasure of Cockpit Voice Recorders prior to reporting incidents. The airline’s management was cited for “willfully [failing] to comply” with the Bureau’s regulations, and it was further stated that the management “lacks the full understanding of the statutory mandates”.[53][54][55][56][57]

  4. This is the best news ever for former LIAT workers. I truly hope this new venture will take off. As I said before, our PM hs wasted time with the other heads of governments of the region who have seem to be only interested if the airline is based on their Island. Meanwhile they are supporting a new airline to fill the void LIAT has left. Even Caribbean Airline is ordering new ATRs to fill that void. The government needs to move fast before the space is taken over by these new commers. Barbados has decided to support Inter Caribbean Airline which is a Turks and Caicos based airline. In times of need you will know who your friends really are. PM once again my advice, forget about them and do what is best for Antigua and Barbuda alone. It’s sad but that is what it is. Every Island for themselves and God for us all.

    • @From the Sidelines: This is not new news at all.That man was suppose to be a part of the New City at Willoughby Bay and LIAT.I have been asking about Air Peace since last year.I am also aware the owner of that Airline was indicted for forgery and money laundering in the State of Georgia,USA.Do not jump for joy as of yet.For you could fall on your fat arse.Why Gaston did not bring you to England with him for the Coronation?

  5. Whilst it is true that LIAT needs private investment in order to grow and expand, the last thing the airline need at this time is to be embroiled in another scandal. We are still gathering news but in 2019 the founder and CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace had been charged with bank fraud and money laundering in the United States. According to American officials and court documents, the money was used by Allen Onyema to pay for luxury cars and designer shopping.
    The 56-year-old founder of Nigerian carrier Air Peace has been accused by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia of moving money from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts for the false purchase of aircraft. In May 2022, Air Peace announced a plan to halt all domestic and regional flights, along with other airlines such as Max Air, Arik Air, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, and others, citing staffing and the rising costs of jet fuel. However, that plan was abandoned after government officials stepped in to aid the airlines affected. Watching this closely!

    • Same thing the US Government did for a bunch of American Companies (Airlines) in 2004 to Bail out the Airline industry. Y’all just have a problem with y’allselves

    • Very well spoken from a position of wisdom Audley. I can assure you that Air Peace interest in the Caribbean is strategic to access a possible avenue to a safe haven. There is nothing profitable about investing into Liat. Even Air Peace operates at a loss and is plagued with poor managerial decisions. No investor will take majority stake in an airline without having their own people running the show. A huge mistake given that Air Peace barely manages itself. With a CEO who has been indicted by the US government and a deteriorating fleet makes you wonder of the airline’s source of funds.
      I would strongly suggest that the government of Antigua and Barbuda do their due diligence before selling their souls. Inherently it is its people who will suffer.
      Unfortunately, it is money and not wisdom that makes the decisions of our governments today.

    • You are commenting on LIAT 1974. This is LIAT 2020 a completely new airline. Without the baggage of LIAT 1974.
      LIAT 1974 will be LIQUIDATED as Barbados and Sit. Vinent have wanted and the Union are not working with Antigua to keep it flying. They didn’t want to settle on 50% of their severance.

  6. If they (the government) can pull this off without drama, this would be welcomed news.

    • Please go into this deal with all eyes and holes open…. read the contract back and front…. nah mek the same mistake like you all made with Antigua Airways…

  7. Whilst it is true that LIAT needs private investment in order to grow and expand, the last thing the airline need at this time is to be embroiled in another scandal. We are still gathering news but in 2019 the founder and CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace had been charged with bank fraud and money laundering in the United States. According to American officials and court documents, the money was used by Allen Onyema to pay for luxury cars and designer shopping.
    The 56-year-old founder of Nigerian carrier Air Peace has been accused by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia of moving money from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts for the false purchase of aircraft. In May 2022, Air Peace announced a plan to halt all domestic and regional flights, along with other airlines such as Max Air, Arik Air, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, and others, citing staffing and the rising costs of jet fuel. However, that plan was abandoned after government officials stepped in to aid the airlines affected. Watching this closely!

  9. This looks like another international scandal for Antigua & Barbuda on the horizon. If the government persists in going into partnership with Air Peace owned by Nigeria businessman Allen Onyema concerning LIAT then we are destined for another big falling out, shame and embarrassment and laughing stock before the whole Caribbean and the world. This man is of questionable character. Just Google his name on the internet and you will be shocked on what you learnt about him. Don’t this government ever learn?

  10. Don’t forget that an Africa based airline wanted to invest in LIAT to include paying the employees severance in full. One of the conditions was that they get majority share. This we were told was declined as the government on Antigua and Barbuda wanted to retain majority share so that it can have control of the airline. It didn’t want another Barbados/St. Vincent saga.??????

    • I guess you are right. But then again, I believe they had no choice. No investor will take a minority share if they are the one taking all the financial risk. And the longer the government waits to launch LIAT 2020 the other airlines are taking up the space LIAT 1974 has left behind and the Good Will LIAT 1974 has left behind will vanish soon. People will be accustomed to flying with Inter Caribbean Airways and Caribbean Airways.

  11. Those people are scamp’s why do business with them Antigua full a scandal when will it get right Antigua like it is about to collapse for good while the indigenous Antiguan people is suffering like hell.people can’t get pay up to now I guest the future Tives were paid take care of your own first . Antiguans are indeed endangered species we need help.

  12. Thirty odd announced projects and counting, and none of them worked. Why would we believe anything this government declares? The fact is, no reputable investor will do business with a Gaston Browne led administration with the dubious character of the attorney general among other things, so they must resort to questionable sources. It is a fact that Air Peace and its owner is facing fraud charges in the US. Should we not be distancing ourselves from them? Somehow, I seem to recall “wealthy African investors” investing in LIAT before. We have a 9 day memory, but when you lie consistently, there is no telling where it will lead.

  13. If the Antiguan government goes through with this deal, Liat will be an African owned airline as they will hold majority interest. They can appoint all the workers. It is a shame that Caribbean leaders, because of selfishness, or because they want nothing to do with Gaston Browne cannot come together to save Liat. Now Gaston is desperate. I will bet anyone that if this African criminal takes over Liat, it will be out of operation in short order and Liat will be finished. Desperation and corruption leads to unsound decisions.

  14. Admin should say “a Nigerian billionaire invested in Liat” ….Africa is a continent …..Antiguans are enemies of themselves …. There is always a room for growth, allow investors to come in because you can’t develop Antigua by yourselves. Put politics aside ,practice self love and always yearn for growth , embrace growth Antiguans

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