By Peter Omopo
Nigeria’s largest airline strengthens UK presence, adds new Boeing 777s to fleet
Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace Airlines Limited, is set to expand its international footprint with the launch of direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) beginning October 26, 2025 — a major step that cements the airline’s growing dominance in West and Central Africa’s aviation market.
The airline, which already operates a successful Lagos–London Gatwick service, announced that the Abuja–Heathrow route will commence first, followed two days later by flights to Gatwick Airport, bringing the total number of UK destinations served by Air Peace to three.
The development comes on the heels of the airline’s acquisition of another Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (registration 5N-CEG) in August, increasing its wide-body fleet to four. The new aircraft will service the upcoming transatlantic routes, boosting passenger capacity and offering Nigerian travelers greater connectivity at more competitive fares.
“With these new routes, Air Peace is connecting Nigerians directly from their home airports to the United Kingdom,” said Chairman and CEO, Chief Allen Ifechukwu Onyema (CON). “Round-trip tickets will start from ₦1 million — far below what other carriers are charging.”
Passengers, according to the airline, will enjoy enhanced comfort onboard the Boeing 777s, with premium cabins, Nigerian meals, and seamless connectivity to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Owerri, Kano, Yola, Gombe, and Asaba through domestic flight links.
The launch of the new routes follows months of negotiations by the Tinubu administration, which successfully secured Heathrow slots for Air Peace — a feat hailed by Onyema as a “historic milestone” for Nigeria’s aviation sovereignty. He also thanked the British government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), for facilitating the approvals.
Expansion Beyond the UK
Speaking during the reception of the new aircraft in Lagos, Onyema revealed that Air Peace would soon begin direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo (Brazil) and Lagos to Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean), cutting travel time to South America to just seven and a half hours.
He reaffirmed the airline’s long-term goal to establish Nigeria as a major global aviation hub, saying,
“From inception in 2014, Air Peace set out to prove that Nigeria was ready to play in the big league of international aviation.”
Growth and Achievements
From a modest fleet of seven aircraft at its debut on October 24, 2014, Air Peace has grown into West Africa’s largest airline, operating 38 aircraft across 20 domestic and 10 regional and international routes. The airline holds the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification and maintains a flawless safety record.
In recent years, Air Peace has continued to expand its fleet, adding modern Embraer 190 and 195-E2 jets, with ten Boeing 737-MAX aircraft on order. The company also broke ground on a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos — a project expected to save Nigeria an estimated $2.5 billion annually in overseas maintenance costs and create thousands of jobs.
An aviation analyst described the expansion as “a bold stride toward aviation independence,” commending Air Peace for its role in rescuing Nigerians from conflict zones such as South Africa, Libya, Sudan, and Ukraine.
A Symbol of National Pride
Despite challenges from international aero politics and foreign competition, Air Peace continues to enjoy government backing as Nigeria’s flag carrier. Aviation experts say the new Abuja–London routes will increase competition, lower fares, and restore Nigerian pride in global air travel.
“Air Peace is flying higher — in peace and in safety — giving Nigerians a sense of ownership in the skies,” Onyema said.
With continued expansion, a growing fleet, and government support, Air Peace is not only reshaping Nigeria’s aviation industry but also positioning the country as a key player in global air transport.
