Air Peace to Begin Abuja–London Heathrow Direct Flights on October 26 – Keyamo Confirms
Air Peace will commence direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow on October 26, according to Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The announcement was made on Sunday in Abuja through a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Tunde Moshood.
Keyamo stated that this development is the result of the Federal Government’s consistent diplomatic efforts to enforce reciprocity in international air travel agreements.
The minister highlighted that the milestone was achieved after a decisive letter from his office dated August 1, 2024, addressed to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh. In the letter, Keyamo demanded the immediate allocation of Heathrow landing slots to Air Peace or warned of reciprocal action.
He emphasized that possible reciprocity measures included reviewing the operations of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at Nigerian airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Keyamo clarified that Nigeria was simply asserting its rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which ensures reciprocal access and fair treatment for designated flag carriers of both countries.
After prolonged negotiations and assertive diplomatic engagements, the UK eventually granted Air Peace the Heathrow Airport slot, fulfilling Nigeria’s demand.
“This is not just a win for Air Peace, but a significant diplomatic milestone for Nigeria,” the minister stated.
He further added that the decision demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing bilateral agreements and protecting the commercial interests of indigenous carriers.
Keyamo pointed out that this step aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the creation of an enabling environment for Nigerian enterprises to compete on a global scale.
He recalled that Air Peace had already launched its first direct flight from Lagos to London Gatwick in March 2024, marking the airline’s entry into the UK aviation market.
With the upcoming shift to London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest and most prestigious airports, Air Peace is expected to broaden its international reach while offering Nigerian travelers more convenient and competitive travel options.
According to Keyamo, this development also represents a turning point in Nigeria–UK aviation relations, setting a precedent for stronger enforcement of bilateral agreements that favor national carriers.
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Previously, 9jatruecrime reported that the Federal Government secured the Heathrow slot for Air Peace after intensive diplomatic talks under the BASA between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Air Peace made headlines in March 2024 with its Lagos–London Gatwick route, disrupting the market by introducing economy class fares starting from N1.2 million, a stark contrast to the N3–N5 million fares of foreign carriers.
Business class tickets also saw competitive pricing, beginning at N4.5 million, thereby making premium international travel more affordable for Nigerian passengers.
Now, with the Abuja–London Heathrow service set to launch on October 26, 2024, Air Peace is poised to further strengthen its transcontinental network and solidify its expansion in the UK aviation market.
