Air Peace Strengthens Global Connections
Executive Director, International Operations, Air Peace Limited, Nnenna Onyema, says the newly launched Abuja-Heathrow service marks the rebirth of Nigeria’s aviation strength and a future of seamless connections with the world.
Nigeria’s largest privately owned airline, Air Peace, has made history by launching direct flights between London Heathrow Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This milestone restores the Nigerian flag to one of the world’s busiest air corridors after more than a decade.
At an inauguration ceremony hosted by London Heathrow Airport authorities to welcome the first flight, Onyema described the new operation as “a symbol of national pride and resilience.”
She emphasised that it represents more than just a route, it is a renewed declaration of Nigeria’s global aviation presence and growing international connections.
“For years, there was silence in the skies,” she stated. “Today, that silence ends. Our flag flies again because, as we say back home, ‘Naija no dey carry last.’”
Under the leadership of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, Air Peace has grown impressively in just 11 years of operations. With a fleet of over 30 aircraft, it is now the largest privately owned carrier in West and Central Africa and the first Nigerian airline to acquire and register a Boeing 777, a clear testament to its international ambitions.
Since 2016, Air Peace has maintained its International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, underscoring strict compliance with global safety standards.
Boosting Regional and International Connections
The launch of the London-Abuja route strengthens accessibility, affordability, and connectivity for Nigeria and the wider African diaspora. Through its expanding West African network, passengers can connect beyond Abuja to Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal, reinforcing Air Peace’s role as a regional hub for international connections.
Air Peace credited the Nigerian government for its continued support of indigenous airlines. The airline expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for their enabling policies that have improved the ease of doing business within the aviation sector.
The company also thanked the management of London Heathrow Airport and its project team for their partnership in facilitating the flight’s successful debut.
“This new operation is a seed of hope,” Onyema affirmed. “It marks the rebirth of Nigeria’s aviation strength and a future where our nation connects seamlessly with the world: stronger, prouder, and ready to compete globally.”
Through this new Air Peace Abuja–London Heathrow service, Nigeria is not only reclaiming its place in global aviation but also building the foundations for lasting connections that strengthen trade, tourism, and national identity.
