Nigeria’s Air Peace Plans Antigua Flights by Late 2025

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced ongoing talks with Nigeria’s Air Peace regarding the launch of scheduled flights between Lagos and Antigua by the fourth quarter of 2025. Browne made the remarks during a recent parliamentary session, signaling renewed aviation ties between West Africa and the Caribbean.

“So those discussions are still ongoing,” he stated, expressing optimism that direct service will begin by year-end. ch-aviation has reached out to Air Peace for comment.

The announcement came as part of broader parliamentary discussions on ratifying an air services agreement with Rwanda. Browne also confirmed that similar bilateral aviation agreements are in progress with Ghana and other West African nations to improve regional connectivity.

Air Peace previously operated two charter flights to Antigua in 2023, following the brief and controversial launch of Antigua Airways in late 2022. That venture, involving Nigerian travel agency Wakanow and Aerostatus, ended amid allegations of inadequate passenger vetting and human trafficking concerns, prompting the Antiguan government to halt flights in January 2023.

Despite those setbacks, Browne emphasized lessons learned and improvements made: “We’ve implemented better controls,” he said. He added that the goal is to attract legitimate, high-spending tourists from Nigeria.

Air Peace Caribbean, a separate entity, holds a 70% stake in LIAT 2020, with the remaining 30% held by the Antiguan government. Though not directly operated by Air Peace Nigeria, Air Peace Caribbean’s ownership includes close family members of Nigerian airline chairman Allen Onyema, raising questions about the link between the two companies.

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