Nigeria’s flagship airline, Air Peace, has begun direct flight operations between Abuja and London Heathrow Airport, marking a significant expansion of its international network.
Gatekeepers News reports that the inaugural flight, which departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday, establishes the carrier’s second direct route to the United Kingdom.
Air Peace first launched its Lagos–London service in March 2024, becoming the first Nigerian airline in years to operate scheduled flights on that route.
Speaking at the ceremony, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, praised the federal government’s support for indigenous carriers, crediting its responsiveness for the success of the new route.
Onyema said, “When Nigerian helicopter airline owners cried to the honourable minister about a certain charge, he removed it on the spot to make life easier for operators.”
“It is not just about Air Peace. Unless every airline in this country speaks up for what this regime has done for them, don’t keep quiet. It’s not only when the not-so-good things are done that we all shout. When a government is doing what is right, we must acknowledge it.”
Onyema commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo for what he described as their patriotic support for the aviation sector.
He added, “Let any airline that says it has not benefited from the regime of Festus Keyamo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stand up. None will, because this is true leadership and love for the nation.”
Also speaking at the event, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said President Tinubu’s administration is committed to ensuring that local airlines grow, compete, and thrive in the global aviation space.
Keyamo said, “The President gave a clear directive to fully support Nigerian operators so they can survive and expand. With that mandate, we examined the major issues affecting local airlines over the years.”
He lamented the high mortality rate in Nigeria’s aviation sector, revealing that over 100 airlines have folded up in the last four decades due to systemic challenges.
The minister explained, @A strong economy depends on a healthy private sector, which provides most of the jobs.”
“Our goal is to strengthen Nigerian carriers and ensure they have fair competitive leverage against international airlines that have operated here for nearly a century.”
Keyamo also noted that while foreign airlines from major European capitals operate daily flights to Nigeria, local carriers have historically failed to reciprocate under the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) despite holding those rights.
He added, “Our first priority was to build the capacity of Nigerian airlines to enable them to utilise those reciprocal rights effectively.”
With Abuja–London route, Air Peace is expected to enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and reduce travel costs for Nigerian passengers, while strengthening the country’s aviation presence on the international stage.
