Air Peace Limited has officially commenced direct flights from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to London Heathrow Airport, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The inaugural flight on Sunday was attended by distinguished passengers, including Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
“The flight took off this morning, Sunday, October 26, 2025, and is expected to arrive this evening in London, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry,” the statement said.
Keyamo has been actively pursuing the explicit reciprocity of air-service rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“While dispatching a letter dated August 1, 2024, to his British counterpart, Louise Haigh, UK Secretary of State for Transport, the Minister insisted that a Nigerian carrier be granted landing rights at London Gatwick and the coveted Heathrow slot,” the statement added.
Speaking at the boarding, Mr. Allen Onyeama, Chairman of Air Peace, praised Keyamo’s intervention.
“I could remember when Customs brought in a four per cent FOB charge for our imports, the aviation operators, we went to the Minister, and he stepped into it immediately. He took the matter to the Finance Minister and to Customs.”
“Today, within one week, the four per cent FOB has been removed for Nigerian airlines. I will support and applaud this government. The government listens to aspirations of people, the complaints and challenges of the people,” Onyeama said.
He added, “When Nigerian helicopter-airline owners cry to the minister about a certain charge, he removes it on the spot to make life very simple for these airlines. So it’s not just about Air Peace.”
Minister Keyamo highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting local carriers.
“Over 100 airlines have come and gone. Concord, Belview, Sosoliso, Chanchangi, name them. So we had a clear mandate to ensure that we support the growth, sustenance, and competitiveness of our local operators. If you destroy the private sector in your country, you destroy the country. Every good economy thrives on the wealth and well-being of the private sector,” he said.
Keyamo emphasized that local operators are critical to employment and economic growth.
“The private sector is the greatest employer of labour and engine of growth. International airlines have been coming to Nigeria for nearly 90 years on some routes, lifting passengers back and forth without our operators fully participating. Under our BASAs, we had rights too. But no capacity, no access, no slot at Heathrow. Today, that changes.”
“The Abuja-London Heathrow route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure, and promoting flag carriers on the global stage,” the minister said.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that Keyamo had previously stated in June 2025 that the landmark flight follows sustained diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government to enforce reciprocity in international air travel agreements.
He noted that the breakthrough resulted from a letter sent on August 1, 2024, demanding the immediate allocation of landing slots at Heathrow for Air Peace, or the risk of reciprocal action.
