The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that Air Peace will commence direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport starting October 26, 2025.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Tunde Moshood, Keyamo described the development as a significant diplomatic achievement resulting from the Federal Government’s persistent efforts to uphold reciprocity in international aviation agreements.
He revealed that the breakthrough followed a letter sent by the ministry on August 1, 2024, to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh, demanding the immediate allocation of landing slots at Heathrow for Air Peace. The letter warned that failure to comply could lead to reciprocal actions, including a review of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic’s operations in Lagos and Abuja.
Keyamo stressed that Nigeria was merely exercising its rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries, which ensures equal access and fair treatment for designated national airlines.
“After sustained negotiations and firm diplomatic engagement, the UK government granted Air Peace the long-awaited slot at Heathrow. This is not just a win for Air Peace, but a major diplomatic victory for Nigeria,” Keyamo said.
He added that the move demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to defending its aviation interests and ensuring a level playing field for indigenous airlines.
The minister also noted that the achievement aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses to thrive on the global stage.
Air Peace had earlier launched its first direct flight from Lagos to London Gatwick in March 2024. With its expansion to Heathrow, one of the busiest and most prestigious airports in the world, the airline is poised to enhance its international presence and offer Nigerian travelers greater convenience and connectivity.
“This marks a new chapter in Nigeria-UK aviation relations and sets a strong precedent for enforcing bilateral agreements in favor of national carriers,” Keyamo concluded.
