FG’s Support for Nigerian Airlines Evident in Heathrow Slot, Enthuses Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Federal Government’s support for Nigerian airlines is clearly demonstrated through its intervention in Air Peace’s bid to secure a landing slot at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Keyamo said this during a press briefing, where he highlighted the government’s efforts to defend the rights of Nigerian carriers under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He noted that the Ministry had formally written to the UK authorities to demand fair and reciprocal treatment for Nigerian airlines, particularly Air Peace, which currently operates flights into London Gatwick instead of Heathrow.
“The support we have given Air Peace is not just symbolic. We took practical steps. We wrote formally to the UK authorities and demanded reciprocal treatment.
If their airlines can fly into our major airports, Nigerian airlines deserve access to Heathrow,” Keyamo said.
British carriers, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, currently operate direct flights from Heathrow to Nigeria’s major airports in Lagos and Abuja. In contrast, Air Peace has only been granted access to Gatwick, a secondary London airport.
Keyamo said that if this imbalance continues, Nigeria may consider restricting British carriers to secondary airports such as Ilorin or Kano.
In its response, the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport explained that the Heathrow slot allocation is constrained due to airport congestion and that Air Peace submitted its application after the official deadline.
The UK noted that the airline could still join the waiting list for future slots or negotiate with other airlines through the slot-trading system.
Keyamo insisted that the Nigerian government has acted within its rights under international aviation agreements and will continue to advocate for equitable treatment for local airlines.
He emphasized that Air Peace has demonstrated its readiness to operate on international routes and deserves the same opportunities as its foreign counterparts.
He also highlighted broader efforts by the Federal Government to support Nigerian airlines, including the ongoing review of aviation taxes, improved access to foreign exchange, and strengthening of aviation insurance frameworks.
He said a special committee has been set up to address the issue of multiple taxation, while recent interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria have eased the forex challenges facing local carriers.
Air Peace began its Lagos–London Gatwick route in March 2024, becoming the only Nigerian airline currently operating direct flights to the United Kingdom.
The airline has received widespread commendation for offering competitive fares and promoting national pride.
Keyamo affirmed that the government’s support for Nigerian airlines is not limited to diplomatic engagement but includes structural reforms aimed at making them globally competitive.
