By Toba Owojaiye
Abuja, Nigeria
In a historic breakthrough for Nigeria’s aviation sector, the federal government has successfully secured a coveted landing slot at London’s Heathrow Airport for Air Peace, the nation’s largest carrier.
Truth Live News gathered that the historic. announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the development as the outcome of months of sustained diplomatic efforts and negotiations grounded in Nigeria’s rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with the United Kingdom.
“My dear compatriots, after many months of diplomatic exchanges and shuttles, insisting on our reciprocal rights under our Bilateral Air Services Agreement, we are pleased to announce that Nigeria has finally secured the coveted Heathrow slot for one of our flag carriers, Air Peace,” Keyamo stated via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The new service will operate between Abuja and London Heathrow starting October 26, 2025, with four scheduled flights weekly. The approval comes after months of back-and-forth, during which the Nigerian government firmly stood its ground on equitable access, even hinting at potential retaliatory measures against British carriers if the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority continued to deny access to Air Peace.
Air Peace had previously launched its Lagos–London Gatwick route in March 2024, becoming the first Nigerian airline in two decades to operate a direct long-haul service to the UK. The new Heathrow slot now opens up broader market opportunities for the airline and positions it as a serious competitor on the transcontinental route long dominated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Speaking on the broader implications, Keyamo said the move reflects the administration’s commitment to empowering indigenous businesses while upholding international standards. “We are committed to offering similar support to all our local operators, which is one of the focal points of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are also committed to ensuring that, whilst we support their businesses to grow, we hold them to the highest standards in terms of delivery,” he added.
Aviation analysts have welcomed the development as a strategic win for Nigeria. The inclusion of Heathrow, the UK’s busiest and most prestigious airport, on Air Peace’s route map not only enhances the airline’s global standing but also signals a shift toward stronger reciprocity in international air travel relations.
For Nigerian travelers, the new Abuja–Heathrow route promises greater convenience and reduced costs, particularly for business and diaspora communities frequently shuttling between the two capitals.
As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to evolve, this landmark achievement may serve as a model for asserting national interests in global aviation diplomacy, where the stakes are not just about routes and runways, but national pride and economic sovereignty.