Air Peace, an indigenous airline, has commenced direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow, the United Kingdom (UK).
Speaking at the ceremonial take-off of the direct flight on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his bold intervention.
He told assembled guests: “I could remember when the Customs introduced a 4% FOB charge for our imports — aviation operators. We went to the Honourable Minister, and he stepped into it immediately — he took the matter to the Finance Minister, and to Customs. Today, within one week, the 4% FOB has been removed for Nigerian airlines. And you tell me why I will not support or applaud this government, when the Government listens to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, their complaints and challenges?
“This is what we need. When Nigerian helicopter and airline owners cried to the Honourable Minister about a certain charge, he removed it on the spot, to make life easier for these airlines. So it’s not just about Air Peace. Every airline in this country should speak up about what this regime has done for them”, he stated.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, led a contingent of distinguished passengers and dignitaries in the ceremonial send-off of the historic inaugural direct flight of Air Peace from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (ABV), to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Speaking at the airport during the boarding of passengers, Keyamo noted that the success of the flight was rooted in the clear mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – that local carriers be supported to thrive and survive.
The flight took-off on the morning of yesterday, October 26, 2025, and is expected to arrive in London this evening, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
