Air Peace Abuja–London flight marks historic milestone for Nigerian aviation – Ex-lawmaker

A former member of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Chidi Nwogu, has hailed Air Peace’s inaugural Abuja–London Heathrow flight as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

In a statement ahead of the airline’s maiden Abuja–London service on Sunday, October 26, Nwogu described the development as a “new chapter” in Nigeria’s pursuit of stronger local participation on profitable international routes.

“I am delighted to be among aviation stakeholders scheduled for Air Peace’s maiden flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London Heathrow. This is a significant step in our aviation history and a win for Nigerian operators,” Nwogu said.

He praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his commitment to fairness in enforcing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which opened the way for Nigerian airlines to compete on routes long dominated by foreign carriers.

“The minister’s resilience and insistence on equity have created a positive environment for local airlines with the potential to expand into international markets,” he noted.

Nwogu urged Air Peace and other domestic carriers to maintain high operational standards while exploring additional routes within the West African sub-region.

“Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines should consider routes from Abuja to cities within West Africa. Many of these short-haul routes are still monopolised by non-Nigerian carriers and attract fares higher than some European destinations,” he said.

He further linked the milestone to the federal government’s “Nigerian First Project,” aimed at promoting indigenous enterprises across various sectors.

Nwogu also cited the Nigerian Automotive Industry Bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, as part of efforts to strengthen local production and encourage public institutions to patronise homegrown products.

Nwogu, who currently serves on the Governing Council of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, expressed optimism about Air Peace’s service quality, adding that he looked forward to world-class preflight, onboard, and arrival experiences.