JUST IN: Air Peace to Start Abuja-London Flights, Confirms Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo

Air Peace, a major Nigerian airline, is set to commence direct flights from Abuja to London in the near future, according to the country’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Keyamo disclosed that he has granted approval for Air Peace to add an Abuja-London route to its existing services. This follows the airline’s earlier launch of a Lagos-Gatwick service as part of its response to the lopsided BASA agreement.

“I approved Air Peace for the Abuja-London route, not just the Lagos-London route,” Keyamo said. “British Airways also comes to Abuja, so let Air Peace block that path and start a war. It’s all for the good of Nigerians.”

The minister emphasized that he has been reviewing the BASA between the UK and Nigeria and that decisions would be made at the conclusion of the review. Keyamo also suggested that while Heathrow Airport should be the primary destination for Nigerian airlines, Gatwick Airport serves as a feasible starting point.

Air Peace’s decision to enter the Abuja-London market is expected to intensify competition with established international carriers like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways. The price of international flight tickets on the Lagos-London route had previously soared to around N3.5 million. However, since Air Peace’s launch on the Lagos-Gatwick route with a return economy class ticket priced at N1.2 million, foreign airlines have been forced to adjust their prices to stay competitive.

Keyamo’s endorsement of Air Peace’s expansion highlights the Nigerian government’s support for local airlines venturing into international markets. As competition among carriers increases, it is anticipated that prices will become more favorable for travelers, providing a broader range of options for those flying between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.