Air Peace has strengthened its footprint in the United Kingdom with the official launch of a direct flight service between Abuja and London Heathrow Airport, marking another milestone in Nigerian aviation. The new route follows the successful commencement of the Lagos–London Gatwick service earlier in 2024.
The announcement was made via the airline’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, accompanied by a video showing the Air Peace aircraft taxiing to a stop at Heathrow Airport at 10:54 p.m. (WAT) on October 26, 2025.
Describing the launch as the beginning of a new chapter in Nigerian aviation, Air Peace celebrated the vibrant send-off atmosphere at the Abuja International Airport, where dignitaries including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, were present for the ceremonial flag-off.
“Today, we officially launched our Abuja–London Heathrow service, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our history,” Air Peace stated. “This isn’t just a route; it’s a statement of how far we’ve come as a proudly Nigerian airline. From Lagos–Gatwick to now Abuja–Heathrow, we’re expanding opportunities, deepening global access, and flying the Nigerian flag higher than ever before.”
According to Nairametrics, flight bookings on Air Peace’s official website show economy class fares starting at ₦981,300, while business class seats begin at ₦2,398,600 for upcoming flights on October 31 and November 1.
A Diplomatic and Strategic Milestone
The launch comes after months of bilateral negotiations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). In June 2025, the Nigerian government secured the Heathrow landing slot for Air Peace — a move hailed as a major diplomatic achievement by Minister Festus Keyamo.
He described the milestone as proof of Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring fair and reciprocal access for indigenous airlines on international routes, highlighting that it resulted from persistent government engagement under the BASA framework.
Rising Competition and Broader Connectivity
Air Peace initially entered the UK market on March 30, 2024, with its Lagos–London Gatwick route after first seeking access to Heathrow. The airline quickly disrupted the market by offering significantly lower fares — with economy tickets priced around ₦1.2 million, compared to the ₦3–₦5 million range offered by foreign carriers. Business class fares also dropped to around ₦4.5 million, making premium travel more accessible to Nigerians.
Despite pushback and price cuts from competitors, Air Peace has continued to grow. In April 2024, it expanded domestic connectivity to seven additional cities — Abuja, Asaba, Benin, Enugu, Owerri, Warri, and Port Harcourt — to streamline connections to its international flights. By December 2024, the airline extended operations to the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, Anambra State, providing another convenient departure point for travelers from Nigeria’s Southeast heading to London.
A New Era for Nigerian Aviation
With the launch of the Abuja–Heathrow route, Air Peace continues to position itself as a trailblazer in Africa’s aviation sector — expanding global access, strengthening Nigeria’s international presence, and reaffirming its commitment to flying the national flag proudly across the skies.
Credit: Nairametrics.
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