The Nigerian Federal Government has secured a landmark air service victory: beginning October 26, Air Peace will operate direct flights from Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London’s Heathrow—Europe’s busiest airport—announced Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The announcement came through his spokesperson, Tunde Moshood, in Abuja on Sunday.

Diplomatic Push Secures Heathrow Spot

Minister Keyamo revealed that Nigeria enforced its rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with the UK through a strongly worded diplomatic letter dated August 1, 2024, addressed to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh. That correspondence demanded immediate Heathrow landing slot access for Air Peace, warning that Nigeria would reciprocate by reviewing slot privileges granted to British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at Lagos and Abuja—if no such access materialised.

This diplomatic approach paid off after months of negotiation. “We have asserted our rights and secured the slot,” Keyamo stated, adding that this breakthrough signals Nigeria’s seriousness about enforcing bilateral agreements and defending home-grown carriers.

Heathrow Venue: A Boost for Nigerian Connectivity

Heathrow’s central location offers unmatched advantages over Gatwick:

• Prestige and convenience: Heathrow lies inside London’s public transport network, compared to Gatwick, which sits 45 km south of the city.

• Expansion for Abuja: Air Peace already serves Lagos–Gatwick since March 2024 and will now add a four-times-weekly Abuja–Heathrow route. The Lagos–Gatwick route will maintain a thrice-weekly schedule.

• Fleet deployment: The airline plans to deploy Boeing 777s on the route, aligning with its fleet strategy and international service capabilities.

Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema confirmed the expanded schedule, acknowledging Minister Keyamo and President Tinubu for supporting the strategic expansion.

Nigeria–UK Aviation Tensions: Background

Since its Lagos–Gatwick launch, Air Peace had long sought the more prestigious Heathrow slot. The UK Transport Secretary initially refused, citing:

1. Late slot requests for the 2024 summer and winter scheduling seasons.

2. Airport capacity limits, with Heathrow’s constrained runway calls and limited annual movements—290,580 slots were available in Summer 2024, while demand surpassed 319,700.

Keyamo responded with veiled diplomatic threats, hinting that Nigerian authorities might restrict slots for British Airways or Virgin Atlantic in Lagos and Abuja if equitable access remained denied. The stalemate echoed in polite negotiation until the UK ultimately granted Air Peace its coveted Heathrow slot.

Strategic Impacts of the New Route

1. Flagship Route for Abuja
   The introduction of Abuja–Heathrow flights diversifies Nigeria’s international connectivity, centering the nation’s capital in the global air travel map and opening new diplomatic and business gateways.

2. Premium Scheduling Prestige
   Heathrow’s slot denotes quality and reliability, affirming Air Peace’s seamless integration into global aviation networks.

3. Market Expansion & Fare Competition
   Air Peace disrupted the Lagos–Gatwick market with fares as low as ₦1.2 million economy and ₦4.5 million business fare class—well below typical charges. The introduction of Heathrow increases potential reach and encourages competitive pricing.

4. Fleet Growth
   The airline will deploy Boeing 777s and narrow-bodied 737NG aircraft to reinforce its growing schedule, including service extensions to China and the Caribbean

Wider Airline Growth & Diplomacy Vision

This development forms part of a broader Air Peace expansion blueprint:

• New destinations: Service to Antigua and Barbuda (September 2025) and Guangzhou, China (October 2025) are planned .

• Resumed routes: Services to South Africa, India, and Dubai will relaunch with the arrival of additional aircraft.

• Levelling the global playing field: By invoking BASA, Nigeria signaled it will not stand idle while domestic carriers remain disadvantaged—pushing homegrown airlines into global markets.

What You Should Know

• Air Peace began operations into the UK in March 2024 via Lagos to Gatwick.

• Economy and business fares launched significantly lower than rival carriers, lowering the barrier for Nigerian travelers.

• Abuja–Heathrow flights kick in October 26, 2025, aligning with the IATA winter scheduling season.

Challenges & Monitoring Points

• Slot Sustainability: Heathrow limits require consistent operations—or risk losing slots.

• Operational Excellence: With over 85% on-time performance since May 2025, Air Peace underlines its reliability. Delays stem from external factors, not domestic performance.

• Capacity Scaling: Additional aircraft (B777s and 737NGs) will be delivered ahead of expanded routes.

• Diplomatic Balance: Nigeria’s advocacy sets a precedent, yet sustained fair access hinges on ongoing bilateral diplomacy.

Summary

• Nigeria’s aviation ministry secured Heathrow landing rights through diplomatic pressure and insistence on BASA compliance.

• Air Peace will launch Abuja–Heathrow flights on October 26, 2025, while maintaining Lagos–Gatwick services.

• The milestone enhances Nigeria’s global aviation footprint, supports competitive pricing, and aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

• Expansion plans include China, the Caribbean, and reinstatement of paused routes—all underpinned by aircraft fleet growth.

Nigeria’s intervention on fostering bilateral equity signals a maturing aviation strategy. As Air Peace begins its next phase of expansion, aviation watchers should follow metrics like route sustainability, operational performance, and future slot applications.