Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading carrier, has expanded its global network by launching direct flight services between the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and London Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.
The inaugural flight departed from Abuja on Sunday, marking the airline’s second direct route to London after it began Lagos–London operations in March 2024.
In his remarks, Allen Onyema, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commended the government for its continued support, describing the milestone as the result of “the government listening to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.”
“When Nigerian helicopter airline owners cried to the honourable minister of a certain charge, he removed it on the spot, in order to make life very simple for these airlines,” Onyema said.
“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 that which is right, let us have one of our comrades there. And let any airline who says it has not benefited from the regime of Festus Keyamo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let the person stand up. Let the person show up tomorrow.
“Never, not even once. I am a leader of the airline, and I can tell you better. So, today what we are celebrating is absolute patriotism, absolute love for one’s country.”
On his part, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s clear directive was to support Nigerian airlines so they can thrive in a competitive global market.
Keyamo explained that the ministry acted swiftly on this mandate, conducting an in-depth review to identify challenges that had hindered the growth of local airlines over the years.
“I’m sure you know that in the last 40 years or so, the mortality rate of the aviation sector has been very high. More than 100 airlines have come and gone,” he said.
He emphasised that a healthy national economy depends on a strong private sector that drives employment, adding that the ministry is working to give local operators a fair competitive advantage.
“The private and international airlines have been coming and going from Nigeria in the last 90 years,” Keyamo said.
“One of the major airlines on this route will be celebrating 90 years on this route in the next one month. So you can see the length of time that they have fared on the Nigerian economy.”
The minister noted that while foreign carriers from almost every European capital operate daily flights into Nigeria, local airlines have not been able to reciprocate these routes despite having the rights under existing Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA).
Keyamo concluded that one of his ministry’s top priorities is to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian airlines, ensuring they can fully exercise these reciprocal rights and expand their international presence.