Nigeria’s leading flag carrier, Air Peace, is set to commence direct flight operations from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport on October 26, 2025, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest for reciprocity in international aviation agreements.
The development is the result of sustained diplomatic pressure by the Federal Government of Nigeria, aimed at securing equitable air traffic rights for Nigerian airlines operating internationally — particularly with countries where foreign carriers enjoy dominant access to Nigerian airspace.
According to aviation ministry sources, the breakthrough follows months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and diplomatic exchanges between Nigerian and British authorities.
A key turning point came in the form of a strongly worded letter dated August 1, 2024, from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh MP.
In the letter, Keyamo emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding frustration over what was seen as the UK’s failure to honour the principle of reciprocity under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
While British carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have long operated multiple flights into Nigeria, Nigerian airlines had struggled to gain similar access to top-tier UK airports like Heathrow.
Speaking on the significance of the new route, a senior official from the Ministry of Aviation said:
“This is not just a win for Air Peace; it’s a diplomatic and economic victory for Nigeria. We insisted that Nigerian carriers must enjoy the same level of access given to their foreign counterparts.”
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Air Peace had already launched its Lagos–London Heathrow route in March 2024, becoming the first Nigerian airline in over a decade to secure direct slots at the UK’s busiest airport.
The upcoming Abuja–London route expands its UK operations, giving passengers from Nigeria’s capital city direct access to the UK without the need to travel through Lagos or international hubs.
Aviation industry experts have hailed the move as a major step toward correcting long-standing imbalances in Nigeria’s international aviation footprint.
By increasing competition on popular long-haul routes, the presence of a Nigerian carrier on the Abuja–London corridor is expected to reduce ticket prices, improve service standards, and boost passenger confidence.
Dr. Peter Bankole, a transport economist at the Lagos Business School, remarked:
“This is a strategic breakthrough. It not only opens up connectivity for Northern and Central Nigeria, but it also demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to assert its rights in international aviation diplomacy.”
Air Peace’s expansion is also expected to support tourism, business travel, and diaspora engagement while generating significant foreign exchange earnings.
The Abuja–London Heathrow flights are scheduled to operate with the airline’s Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft, offering both business and economy class services. Ticket sales for the new route are expected to commence in the coming weeks.