Nigerian airline, Air Peace, has commenced scheduled flight services from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, to the London Gatwick Airport, in the United Kingdom. Air Peace launched the flight services with its B777 aircraft and introduced significantly reduced air fares. The airline has also announced special discount of 15% for students.The services launched on March 30, 2024, marks the re-start of flight services by a Nigerian airline connecting the two countries. All previous Nigerian airlines including Nigeria Airways, Bellview, Virgin Nigeria, Arik Air as well as Medview Airlines had ceased operations on the Nigeria-UK route at various times within the past 20 years due to various factors ranging from poor management to aeropolitics.
The re-entry of a Nigerian airline on the Nigeria-UK route has been long-anticipated, and the direct 6-hour flights launched by Air Peace has caused a huge wave of reactions from passengers as well as phenomenal crash in ticket fares by competing airlines on the route to forestall the likely loss of price-sensitive customers to Air Peace.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, applauded the airline on the achievement and expressed support to the airline. The Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, also also said the CAA would support the airline. The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, who has received accolades from various stakeholders and travellers, said the commencement of the flight services by Air Peace was to reduce the burden on Nigerian travellers and offer them comfortable and convenient high quality flight services at reduced fares.
The launch of the London flights was celebrated with colourful ceremonies. The airline had also engaged with key stakeholders including Nigerians in the UK and travel agents to create robust support and sustenance of the services on the route.
A special ceremony was “organised and led by the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS),” before to usher in the flight services. The convenor of the event, Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, said Air Peace has made Nigerians proud. The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner, Amb. Cyprian Heen, represented at the event by the Head of Information, Mrs. Ubong Johnson assured of support to Air Peace on the London route.
Sindy Foster, an aviation expert and Principal Managing Partner of Avaero Capital Partners and a consultant to Air Peace, commended the airline, noting also that the event coincided with the birthday of Dr, Onyema, the founder and Chairman of Air Peace.
