Air Peace to begin Abuja-London flights, says Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Air Peace will commence its Abuja-London route very soon.

Keyamo, said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.

He said he has given approval for Air Peace to add Abuja to its London route.

“Just yesterday (Wednesday), I approved Air Peace for the Abuja-London route, not only Lagos-London route,” Keyamo said.

“British Airways also come to Abuja. So, let Air Peace block that path and start a war. It’s all for the good of Nigerians.”

He stated that Air Peace or any interested local airline should be operating to Heathrow Airport and not Gatwick Airport.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu did not announce minimum wage increment to N70,000 – Commissioner

He, however, said Gatwick Airport is only a low-hanging fruit and a starting point.

The minister said he has been reviewing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the UK and Nigeria, and at the end of the review some decisions would be made.

On March 30, 2024, Air Peace reciprocated the lopsided Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom when the local airline began direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London.

The development has received plaudits by many industry observers, with more local airlines being encouraged to begin international flights to profitable routes.

The price of an international flight ticket on the Lagos-London route was as high as N3.5 million.

But with Air Peace pegging a return economy class ticket for N1.2 million, foreign airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways have been forced to reduce their prices to stay competitive.

Air Peace entrance on the London route has sprung up a price war, with foreign carriers now underpricing to stay in business.

Concerning this, Keyamo said the government has been observing the unfolding events and would give Air Peace the needed backing.