According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Nigerian federal government has showcased its unwavering support for domestic airlines by successfully securing daily flight slots at London’s prestigious Heathrow Airport for Air Peace.
The Vanguard reports that Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema revealed that the UK government, through Airports Coordination Limited (ACL), had officially granted the airline a coveted daily slot at Heathrow. This milestone reflects a significant diplomatic achievement for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Onyema praised Minister Keyamo and President Bola Tinubu for their steadfast backing of Nigerian carriers. He further announced that Air Peace would launch direct flights from Abuja to Heathrow starting October 26. The Abuja-Heathrow route will operate three times weekly, while flights from Abuja to Gatwick will run four times a week.
Minister Keyamo took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to celebrate the breakthrough, stating: “After months of intense diplomatic negotiations and persistent advocacy for our reciprocal rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), Nigeria has finally secured the much-sought-after Heathrow slot for one of our national flag carriers.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting all Nigerian airlines as part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are dedicated to helping our local operators expand while ensuring they maintain the highest service standards for passengers,” Keyamo added.
According to The Independent, this development follows Keyamo’s firm stance last year when he threatened to restrict British Airways’ operations in Nigeria. The minister argued that since British Airways and Virgin Atlantic enjoyed primary access to Nigeria’s major airports—Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja—reciprocity under BASA demanded that Air Peace be granted slots at Heathrow.
In a letter dated August 1, 2024, Keyamo warned that failure to allocate Heathrow slots to Air Peace would lead Nigeria to deny British Airways and Virgin Atlantic access to Lagos and Abuja airports.
At the time, UK Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh explained that Air Peace’s initial slot request was rejected because it was submitted after the season’s official slot coordination process had ended.
ALSO READ:
- Ethiopian Airlines Dominates Again: Africa’s Top Airlines Revealed for 2025
- Paris Air Show 2025: Innovations Shaping the Future of Global & African Aviation
- Ryanair Leads Airlines Going Paperless, Adopting AI: APH.com
The recent successful allocation of Heathrow slots to Air Peace marks a turning point, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in international aviation and its commitment to elevating its homegrown airlines globally.
The securement of daily flight slots at London’s prestigious Heathrow Airport for Nigeria’s Air Peace is a significant development with far-reaching positive impacts across Nigeria’s tourism, travel, and airline industries. Due to persistent diplomatic efforts to enforce reciprocal rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), this achievement addresses a long-standing imbalance where foreign carriers had prime access to Nigerian airports while Nigerian airlines faced restrictions.
Since Heathrow’s global connectivity makes it a gateway for travellers worldwide, daily direct flights from Abuja and Lagos to Heathrow will significantly improve accessibility for UK, Europe, and North America tourists, who might previously have faced inconvenient connections or higher fares. This direct link is expected to boost leisure and business tourism to Nigeria.
Moreover, having a Nigerian carrier operate daily flights to a prestigious airport like Heathrow elevates Nigeria’s international profile. It signals growing economic strength and improved aviation standards, which can attract more discerning travellers and investors.
Increasing tourism increases revenue for hotels, tour operators, transportation services, craft vendors, and other tourism-related businesses. This creates jobs and stimulates local economies across Nigeria.
Direct flights to Heathrow from Lagos and Abuja offer unparalleled travel convenience, reducing transit times and the stress of connecting flights. Heathrow’s status as a major international hub also provides seamless onward connections for travellers to various global destinations.
The successful implementation of the BASA, exemplified by these flight slots, strengthens diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the UK, fostering further collaboration in various sectors, including travel and trade.
Plus, with more affordable and convenient options, travel agencies in Nigeria will likely see increased bookings for UK-bound travel and inbound travel to Nigeria.
Operating at a highly regulated and demanding airport like Heathrow will push Air Peace to maintain global standards in operations, safety, and customer service, leading to skill development and capacity building within the airline and the broader Nigerian aviation sector.
Access to Heathrow can also allow Air Peace to engage in code-sharing agreements with other international airlines, further expanding its network and reach without necessarily adding more aircraft or routes. This success also provides Nigeria with stronger leverage in future bilateral air services agreement negotiations with other countries, ensuring more equitable arrangements for its Indigenous carriers.
For more updates on airline developments in Nigeria, visit Rex Clarke Adventures – Airline News.
FAQs
1. What recent achievement has Nigeria’s government made for Air Peace?
Nigeria’s government successfully secured daily flight slots at London’s Heathrow Airport for Air Peace, allowing the airline to operate direct flights from Abuja to Heathrow.
2. When will Air Peace start direct flights from Abuja to Heathrow?
Air Peace plans to commence direct Abuja-Heathrow flights on October 26, operating thrice a week.
3. Why was securing Heathrow slots important for Nigeria?
Heathrow slots are highly competitive and prestigious. Securing them demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to promoting its domestic airlines and ensuring reciprocal rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement with the UK.
4. What role did Minister Festus Keyamo play in this development?
Minister Keyamo led diplomatic efforts and negotiations, advocating for Nigeria’s rights and threatening restrictions on British airlines until Air Peace was granted Heathrow slots.
5. How does this development impact Nigeria’s aviation industry?
This milestone boosts the international profile of Nigerian airlines, supports the growth of local carriers, and aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance aviation services and standards.