Air Peace Launches Historic Direct Flight from Abuja to London Heathrow

In a significant milestone for Nigerian aviation, Air Peace has commenced direct flight operations from Abuja to London Heathrow. The inaugural flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) on Sunday, marking the airline’s expansion on the lucrative Nigeria-UK route, which it began servicing from Lagos in March.

The event was overseen by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who led a delegation of dignitaries in a ceremonial send-off. The flight’s launch fulfills a key objective of the Nigerian government to secure equitable rights for its national carriers under the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with the United Kingdom.

Minister Keyamo played a pivotal role in advocating for Nigerian airlines to gain access to London’s premier aviation hub. In a decisive move, he formally requested that the UK government grant a Nigerian carrier not only landing rights at London Gatwick but also slot rights at the highly competitive Heathrow Airport, long dominated by foreign airlines.

At the event, Air Peace Chairman, Chief Allen Onyeama, commended the government’s proactive support. He highlighted recent interventions, such as the swift removal of a 4% Freight On Board (FOB) charge for aviation operators, as evidence of an administration responsive to the challenges faced by local airlines.

Minister Keyamo reinforced that this achievement aligns with a clear mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bolster the sustainability and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s domestic aviation industry.

“If you destroy the private sector in your country, you destroy the country. Every good economy thrives on the wealth and well-being of the private sector,” Keyamo stated. “We have done all we can within our powers to give our local operators the muscle and leverage for fair competition.”

The launch of the Abuja-London route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing international connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure, and promoting its flag carriers on the global stage.