Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s rave of the moment carrier, took its historic Abuja-London Heathrow flight to the skies at the weekend signalling its direct flight operations between both cities and a major advancement for the airline and the Nigerian aviation industry at large.
The inauguration ceremony began at the check-in area of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja), which had been transformed into an exhilarating environment of branded décor and enthusiastic passengers, where travellers received special souvenirs and celebratory treats as part of the carrier’s inaugural into Heathrow.
Allen Onyema, chairman of the airline, led a board and management team that included Alice Onyema, vice chairman, as well as Emeka Ngige, Ekaette Monsuru, Benedict Adeyileka, and chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Obiora Okonkwo.
The presence of Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, leading other high-powered government officials underscored the significance of the flight’s inauguration.
Keyamo highlighted the intensive diplomatic efforts that secured the Heathrow slot, reaffirming the government’s support for indigenous carriers under the bilateral air services agreement. He noted that “the connecting capital of the whole of Europe” now lies within reach of Nigerian travellers, reflecting Nigeria’s firm stance on reciprocity and fair access.
Vice President Kashim Shetimma was represented by Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, deputy chief of staff, who extended congratulations to Air Peace on behalf of the government and Nigerians, welcoming the increased competition, improved service and more accessible pricing to the UK market. He lauded the airline’s patriotism and the president’s enabling policies for aviation.
Benjamin Okezie Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, in remarks he delivered on behalf of the 10th National Assembly, said the milestone embodies the philosophy that, when the government clears the runway, the private sector takes flight.
He saluted Allen Onyema as a role model for entrepreneurship, integrity and service, noting that this route opens doors for many young Nigerians to dream bigger.
Onyema thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister and all stakeholders for their trust and support in enabling a major indigenous operator to claim a global gateway. He emphasised that this achievement is grounded in local investment, private-sector capacity and a commitment to raising Nigeria’s footprint on the global aviation map. He noted that Heathrow’s connectivity — beyond London to the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean — will now be accessible through the airline and that the government must support, not stifle, indigenous aviation enterprises.
This landmark moment captures what Air Peace has steadily built upon. As West and Central Africa’s largest airline by fleet size, Air Peace launched its Lagos–London Gatwick route in March 2024 and over the last year has consolidated its international presence. The Abuja–Heathrow operation, effective 26 October 2025, positions the airline as the first Nigerian carrier to connect the nation’s capital directly to London’s premier airport.
For Nigeria’s aviation landscape, the flight launch is more than a route opening — it is a symbol of enhanced global connectivity, economic opportunity, competitive fares and a stronger domestic carrier ecosystem. With seamless ticketing from many Nigerian cities via Abuja to Heathrow, the airline promises broader access, improved service and greater value.
As passengers checked in with excitement, adorned in branded memorabilia and looking ahead to a new chapter of connectivity, Air Peace’s maiden flight to Heathrow stood as a clear announcement: Nigerian aviation is ready for new heights, and the eagle has taken flight.
