Air Peace Refutes Claims of UK Entry Block

Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has denied recent media reports suggesting that its chairman, Allen Onyema, accused the United Kingdom of blocking the airline’s entry into the British market for seven years. The airline clarified that Onyema never made such allegations and instead praised UK aviation authorities for their professionalism and cooperation throughout the airline’s expansion process.

Air Peace emphasized its commitment to strengthening Nigeria–UK aviation ties, noting that the approval process for its operations had been transparent and collaborative. The statement comes ahead of the carrier’s planned launch of a new route between Abuja and London Heathrow on October 26, marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy.

The airline currently operates daily flights from Lagos to London Gatwick, which began in March 2024. Initially launched through a wet-lease agreement with Norse Atlantic UK, the route is now serviced by Air Peace’s own Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. The success of this service has reinforced the airline’s ambition to expand into additional European destinations.

Onyema previously acknowledged that Air Peace had initially chosen Gatwick over Heathrow due to limited slot availability at the main London airport. While he had criticized the broader access challenges faced by African carriers in the UK, Air Peace now maintains that its relationship with British aviation regulators remains constructive. The airline’s upcoming Abuja–Heathrow launch represents another step toward enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UK.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com