Air Peace Airline has announced the commencement of Abuja to Heathrow Airport in London on Oct. 26 after receiving grant from the British authority.
This landmark achievement follows sustained diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria to enforce reciprocity in international air travel agreements.
This was contained in a Press Statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Tunde Moshood.
The improvement comes in the wake of a strongly worded letter dated August 1, 2024, written by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Honorable. Louise Haigh.
The statement read: “In the correspondence, the Minister requested the immediate allocation of landing slots at Heathrow for Air Peace.
The Minister also warned of potential reciprocal actions, including a review of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic’s access to the airports in Lagos and Abuja.”
The Minister reiterated that Nigeria was only asserting its rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both nations, which guarantees reciprocal access and fair treatment for designated flag carriers.
After months of negotiations and firm diplomatic engagement, the UK authorities acceded to Nigeria’s demand, granting Air Peace the long-awaited Heathrow slot.
“This is not just a win for Air Peace, but a significant diplomatic milestone for Nigeria.
It sends a clear message that we are serious about enforcing the terms of our bilateral agreements and protecting the commercial interests of our indigenous carriers,” said Keyamo.
He further emphasized that the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places high priority on creating an enabling environment for Nigerian businesses to thrive globally.
“My dear compatriots, after many months of diplomatic exchanges and shuttles, insisting on our reciprocal rights under our Bilateral Air Services Agreement, we are pleased to announce that Nigeria has finally secured the coveted Heathrow slot for one of our flag carriers, Air Peace,” the Minister wrote in a public statement.
Air Peace had earlier launched its inaugural direct flight from Lagos to London Gatwick Airport in March 2024, marking its entry into the highly competitive UK aviation market.
With the move to Heathrow—one of the world’s busiest and most prestigious airports—the airline is expected to significantly expand its international footprint and provide Nigerian travellers with greater convenience and connectivity.
This development marks a new chapter in Nigeria-UK aviation relations and sets a precedent for stronger enforcement of bilateral agreements to benefit national carriers.
Victoria Ibanga