The announcement of Air Peace’s new Lagos to London route is a welcome development. Air Peace is currently Nigeria’s leading air line connecting Nigerian cities in the North, South, East and West. As well as regional flights to seven countries in the West and central African region.
The airline first started its operations in 2014, with seven aircrafts, the first of its kind in the Nigerian aviation industry. The growth has been steady with flights to China, India, Johannesburg, Saudi Arabia and Barbados in the Caribbean in December 2023, as they fulfil their vision to be “ever dependable through creating seamless connections and network”.
The inaugural flight is scheduled for March 30th from Gatwick airport, London’s second busiest airport. The partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways, a Norwegian airline includes Aircraft, Crew, maintenance and insurance, this permits the use their aircraft the “Dream liner” in addition to the Air Peace’s Boeing 777 to run the route, serving Nigerians and Nigerians in Diaspora alike.
This announcement is in time for the busy summer holidays. The fare being offered by Air peace for the new route appears significantly more affordable than what is currently on offer by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, two airlines from the UK that has dominated the Lagos – London route. The new fare offer, has provided a welcoming option in available cheaper flights to Nigeria on the Lagos – London route to customers, who have been subjected to very high fares especially since the demise of the other Nigerian airlines.
Air Peace has exemplified commitment to its customers with their safety records, comfort and customer satisfaction, which has earned them the title of being Nigeria’s number one dependable domestic airline. The regional connectivity has provided an easy business and leisure commute between Nigeria and her neighbours across the west and central African region, thus providing a much-needed link for easy intra African travel for business and leisure.
In times of trouble, the airline has further demonstrated commitment to serving Nigerians by airlifting Nigerians home, free of Charge from the Russian- Ukraine war, Egypt during the Sudanese crisis to name but a few, etc.
The UK authorities can be notoriously difficult in their manner when dealing with Nigerian airlines. Dr Allen Onyema the chairman of Air Peace in a recent interview with Arise News spoke about the authorities only permitting the airline to use Gatwick airport or any of the regional airports. He said he felt insulted and frustrated by the authorities. Nigerian Airlines have experienced challenges on the Lagos-London route over the years, which has contributed to their demise. The likes of Arik Air, Medview, and Air Nigeria, once dominated the route though often subjected to unfair practices by British airways and British authorities.
The route was only granted after the intervention by the current Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Kayemo.
Dr Onyema, has promise to provide an unrivalled service, which will create a difference in the service currently being enjoyed by passengers on the Lagos- London route. The route will be served with a three hundred passenger carrier, with the latest technology to enhance passenger experience. He promises to keep the fares affordable in his bid to support Nigerians and the challenges brought on by the current free fall of the naira.
The launch of Air peace’s new route has revived the Lagos- London route for a Nigerian based airline and provided the much-needed competition. The airline is working on improving efficiency and convenience for her passengers with their new check in and booking systems. With its continuous expansion plans across the globe and the acquisition of brand-new state of the art aircraft in her fleet, Air Peace continues to strengthen her position as Nigeria’s Premier airline.