Air Peace, an indigenous airline, has commenced direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow, the United Kingdom (UK).
Speaking at the ceremonial take-off of the direct flight on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his bold intervention.
‘I could remember when the Customs introduced a 4% FOB charge for our imports – aviation operators,’ he told assembled guests.
‘We went to the Honourable Minister, and he stepped into it immediately – he took the matter to the Finance Minister and to Customs. Today, within one week, the 4% FOB has been removed for Nigerian airlines. And you tell me why I will not support or applaud this government.
‘When the government listens to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, their complaints and challenges, this is what we need. When Nigerian helicopter and airline owners cried to the Honourable Minister about a certain charge, he removed it on the spot to make life easier for these airlines.
‘So it’s not just about Air Peace. Every airline in this country should speak up about what this regime has done for them,’ he stated.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led a contingent of distinguished passengers and dignitaries in the ceremonial send-off of the historic inaugural direct flight of Air Peace from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (ABV), to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Speaking at the airport during the boarding of passengers, Keyamo noted that the success of the flight was rooted in the clear mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – that local carriers be supported to thrive and survive.
‘With that mandate in our right hand, we went to work,’ the Minister stated. ‘We dug deep to discover the problems of local operators over the years. The mortality rate in our aviation sector for more than 40 years has been very high – over 100 airlines have come and gone: Concord, Bellview, Sosoliso, Chanchangi – name them.
‘So we had a clear mandate to ensure that we support the growth, sustenance, and competitiveness of our local operators.’
According to a statement by Tunde Moshood, the Minister emphasised the role of the private sector, stating that, ‘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 – the greatest employer of labour and engine of growth. We have done all we can within our powers to give our local operators the muscle and leverage for fair competition.
‘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,’ he said.
The flight took off on the morning of 26 October 2025 and is expected to arrive in London this evening, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The Abuja-London Heathrow route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure, and promoting flag carriers on the global stage.