Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has officially commenced its direct flight service from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport, marking a significant leap forward for the nation’s aviation industry.
The inaugural flight departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday, October 26, 2025, and is expected to land at London Heathrow later in the evening.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Minister Keyamo personally led a team of distinguished passengers aboard the historic flight.
> “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 read.
It recalled that the Minister had been at the forefront of securing 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.
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Onyema Commends Keyamo’s Leadership
Speaking during the flight’s boarding, Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, commended Minister Keyamo for his decisive leadership and consistent support for Nigerian airlines.
> “I could remember when Customs brought in a four per cent FOB charge for our imports,” Onyema recalled. “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 the aspirations, complaints, and challenges of the people,” he said.
Onyema also noted that the administration’s swift response to challenges facing local operators has created a more enabling environment for the aviation sector.
> “When Nigerian helicopter-airline owners cried to the Minister about a certain charge, he removed it on the spot to make life very simple for these airlines. So it’s not just about Air Peace,” Onyema added.
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Keyamo: Tinubu’s Mandate is to Empower Local Carriers
In his remarks, Minister Festus Keyamo said the milestone flight reflected President Bola Tinubu’s directive to support Nigerian carriers and ensure their long-term survival.
> “Over 100 airlines have come and gone — Concord, Belview, Sosoliso, Chanchangi, name them,” he said. “So we had a clear mandate to ensure that we support the growth, sustenance, and competitiveness of our local operators.”
He stressed that the government recognizes the private sector as the backbone of national development.
> “If you destroy the private sector in your country, you destroy the country. Every good economy thrives on the wealth and wellbeing of the private sector,” the minister emphasized.
Keyamo added that the federal government had worked tirelessly to ensure local operators have both the capacity and international access needed to compete on the global stage.
> “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,” he said.
“But no capacity, no access, no slot at Heathrow. Today, that changes.”
He described the new Abuja–London Heathrow route as a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening connectivity, empowering indigenous airlines, and projecting the country’s aviation capabilities globally.
> “The Abuja-London Heathrow route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure, and promoting flag carriers on the global stage,” Keyamo stated.
