By Tanimu Hassan Abuja
The flight took off on Sunday, 26 October, from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where stakeholders gathered to witness the event, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for the bold intervention and broadening the international market for Nigeria’s domestic airlines.
The Minister has been at the forefront of securing the explicit reciprocity of air-service rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, insisting that a Nigerian carrier be granted not only landing rights at London Gatwick but also the coveted Heathrow slot rights long held exclusively by foreign carriers.
Keyamo noted that the success of the Air Peace direct flight to London is rooted in the clear mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that local carriers be supported to thrive and survive.
“The mortality rate in our aviation sector for more than 40 years has been very high; many airlines have come and gone. So we had a clear mandate to ensure that we support the growth, sustenance, and competitiveness of our local operators.”
He emphasised the role of the private sector: “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, the greatest employer of labour and engine of growth.
“We have done all we can within our powers to give our local operators the muscle and leverage for fair competition.
“International airlines have been coming to Nigeria for nearly 90 years on some routes, lifting passengers back and forth without our operators fully participating.
“Under our BASAs, we had rights too — but no capacity, no access, no slot at Heathrow. Today, that changes.” the Minister emphasised.
The Abuja-London Heathrow route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure, and promoting flag carriers on the global stage.
Victoria Ibanga