In a move aimed at further enhancing Nigeria’s aviation sector, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced on Thursday that the federal government has granted approval for Air Peace to expand its route to include Abuja on its London flights.
Keyamo made this disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. The minister commended Air Peace for its recent launch of Lagos-Gatwick flights, which garnered praise from numerous Nigerians.
Following the successful commencement of the Lagos-London route by Air Peace, other airlines responded by reducing their prices. This situation prompted Allen Onyema, the owner of Air Peace, to allege an international conspiracy.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the British government’s refusal to grant operation access at Heathrow Airport, Keyamo explained that the Federal Government opted to operate at Gatwick Airport as a strategic starting point.
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Keyamo also revealed that he has been reviewing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UK, with decisions expected at the conclusion of the review.
The minister’s decision to approve Air Peace’s expansion has received widespread applause from industry observers and Nigerians alike. Many view it as a corrective measure to address the perceived imbalance in the BASA between Nigeria and the UK.
Meanwhile, the introduction of Air Peace’s Lagos-London route has significantly lowered flight fares on the route. Previously, prices from foreign airlines soared as high as ₦3.5 million. However, with Air Peace offering return economy class tickets for ₦1.2 million, competitors such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways have been compelled to reduce their prices to remain competitive.
This reduction in fares has triggered a price war, with foreign airlines resorting to underpricing in a bid to maintain their market position amidst stiff competition.
