Air Peace begins direct flight from Abuja to Heathrow October 26

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, will launch direct flight operations from Abuja to London’s Heathrow Airport starting October 26, 2025—a milestone secured through firm diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The announcement was made by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. According to Moshood, the development follows a decisive letter sent by Keyamo to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, on August 1, 2024. In the letter, the minister demanded the allocation of landing slots at Heathrow for Air Peace, warning of reciprocal action that could affect British Airways and Virgin Atlantic’s access to Nigerian airports.

Keyamo stressed that Nigeria was simply exercising its rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which ensures fair and equal treatment for designated airlines from both countries. Following months of negotiations, UK authorities granted the Heathrow slot to Air Peace, marking a major diplomatic victory for Nigeria.

“This is a win not just for Air Peace, but for Nigeria’s aviation sovereignty,” Keyamo said, highlighting the move as a fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote Nigerian businesses globally.

Air Peace had earlier broken ground with its inaugural Lagos–London Gatwick flight in March 2024. The move to Heathrow—one of the world’s busiest and most strategic airports—positions the airline for greater global visibility and provides enhanced travel options for Nigerian passengers.

This achievement sets a precedent for enforcing aviation agreements in favor of indigenous carriers.