Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained how the country secured a Heathrow slot for its domestic airline, Air Peace.
Keyamo made this known on Saturday in a statement on his X account.
He explained that slot allocation was the result of sustained diplomatic engagement by the Nigerian government to enforce the country’s rights under the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA.
Keyamo described the development as a significant diplomatic milestone that reflects Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring fair and reciprocal treatment for its local carriers on international routes.
According to him, the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises support for indigenous businesses while maintaining global service standards.
“My dear compatriots, after many months of diplomatic exchanges and shuttles, insisting on our reciprocal rights under our Bilateral Air Services Agreement, we are pleased to announce that Nigeria has finally secured the coveted Heathrow slot for one of our flag carriers, Air Peace,” Keyamo’s post stated.
The development would see Air Peace fly directly from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport from October this year after months of seeking regulatory approval.
Recall that Air Peace made its inaugural flight to London Gatwick Airport from Lagos on March 2024.