Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, commenced its Lagos-London flight services on Saturday 30th of March 2024.
The airline announced the commencement of its operation on its X page on Saturday, expressing delight over the milestone.
“London service has commenced, and we’re delighted to have achieved yet another feat in our drive to continually provide peaceful connectivity across cities,” Air Peace posted.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Doris Uzoka-Anita, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, were present as the airline marked its inaugural flight to London.
In November 2023, Air Peace had secured a foreign carrier operator permit [FCOP] to fly into the United Kingdom [UK]
However, the airline could not kick off operations on the route due to challenges with slot allocation at the destination airport.
Prior to this, Keyamo had engaged the UK government to actualise direct flights from Lagos to London.
According to the Cable News, the minister was said to have held a meeting with the management of NORSE Atlantic Airways, led by Ben Boiling, its chief executive officer [CEO], in London in late January, the company from which Air Peace chartered the aircraft it is using for the London route.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo, on Friday, said the commencement of direct Lagos-London flight by Air Peace would ease the pressure on the Nigerian local currency naira, as it would reduce the demand for foreign exchange [FX] by Nigerians and foreign airlines.
Keyamo, according to a statement by Air Peace, said the start of flight services on the route by the domestic carrier had also compelled some mega airlines on the Lagos-London route to drop fares.
The minister promised that the federal government would continue to protect the airline and other Nigerian carriers that may want to begin international services and assured of the government’s support.
Also speaking, Uzoka-Anite described the airline’s milestone as the convergence of innovation, determination, and the unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Nigeria has needed a local airline flying directly to the UK for several years. Air Peace proudly wears the badge of ‘Made in Nigeria’,” she said.
“It is a symbol of our collective effort to showcase our capabilities to the world. From the skilled hands that maintain the aircraft to the warm smiles of the cabin crew, every aspect of Air Peace reflects the spirit of our nation.
“Let us reflect on the economic impact of this flight. Air Peace’s presence in London is not merely about arrivals and departures; it is about trade, investment, and collaboration. By choosing Air Peace, you choose to invest in Nigeria. You choose to empower local businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our economy.
While many are applauding Air Peace for the feet, everyone, including stakeholders have all turned blind eyes to the various challenges that operating into Gatwick Airport possesses for a Nigeria carrier as the likes of Belview, Midview and Virgin Atlantic have all failed.
Meanwhile, Air Peace according to its unconvincing market analysis of banking on Nigerians in the United Kingdom and large number of Nigerian students that are gradually dwindling due to recent immigration regulations stopping foreign students from bringing into the UK their dependents is hoping the route would be a success.
The airline is expected to operate four times a week for the time being.
By Our Reporter
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