Air Peace Boosts Nigeria-UK Routes, Eyes London Expansion

Nigeria's prominent airline, Air Peace, has reiterated its steadfast commitment to maintaining and expanding its operations on the highly competitive UK–Nigeria air corridor. This route is recognized as Nigeria's busiest international air link, facilitating the travel of over 450,000 passengers annually. The airline's chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, emphasized this dedication during a recent lecture in Lagos, focusing on the complexities of international 'aero politics' and the sustainability of Nigerian carriers on London routes.

The UK market has historically been dominated by established foreign airlines, with carriers such as British Airways operating on this corridor for over nine decades, later joined by Virgin Atlantic and other direct service providers. Despite the presence of multiple airlines offering nonstop flights between Nigeria and London airports, a substantial portion of Nigerian-bound traffic continues to transit through various foreign hubs across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, highlighting the intense competition and market dynamics.

Air Peace initiated its direct Lagos–London Gatwick operations in March 2024, experiencing consistent growth since its launch. This positive trajectory has prompted the airline to further expand its UK network, with plans to introduce Abuja–Heathrow services by October 2025. Currently, Air Peace operates daily flights from Lagos to Gatwick, complemented by multiple weekly services connecting Abuja to both Heathrow and Gatwick, signifying its strategic push to capture a larger share of this lucrative international market.