Air Peace is gearing up for another milestone in Nigerian aviation with the launch of direct flights from Abuja to London on October 26, 2025. The United Kingdom has thrown its weight behind the plan, a move hailed by the airline’s chairman, Allen Onyema, as a major breakthrough for travellers in Northern Nigeria and the country’s aviation sector at large.
Onyema made the announcement at the airline’s Travel Agency Forum in Abuja, where he praised the UK authorities for their cooperation. He singled out Jonny Baxter, Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission in Lagos, for playing a key role in ensuring the process went smoothly.
“The support from the UK has been remarkable,” Onyema said. “Jonny Baxter cleared the way for us at every stage. Contrary to the doubts people may have, the British government truly wants Air Peace to succeed. This is why we are here today.”
The new route is expected to cut costs and save time for Northern passengers who previously had to transit through other international hubs like Doha before connecting to London. “This is a revolution for Nigerian travellers,” Onyema declared. “We are not only making travel easier but also forcing down fares across the board. Even foreign airlines have had to adjust their prices because of Air Peace.”
Air Peace has already disrupted the market once before. In March 2024, its Lagos–London flights forced established international carriers to slash fares, ending years of what Nigerians described as “exorbitant” ticket pricing. Onyema said the Abuja–London service would build on that success, keeping Air Peace the most affordable option on the route.
The airline boss also thanked President Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for backing Nigerian carriers, saying government support has been crucial in strengthening local capacity. But he noted that homegrown airlines still face doubt. “As Nigerians, we’re often asked if we can really manage such routes. That kind of skepticism has no basis. We’ve shown time and again that we can meet international standards—only we have to work ten times harder to prove it.”
Air Peace’s expansion plans extend far beyond London. Onyema revealed that the airline intends to launch new services to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Antigua, and Barbados before the end of 2025. Within Africa, it aims to resume suspended routes to Kinshasa, Libreville, Douala, and Johannesburg, while also preparing for Toronto flights pending Canadian approval.
Travel industry experts have welcomed the Abuja–London flights as a long-awaited relief. Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Abuja Zone, Ibiwari Kemabonta, described it as “a boost for Northern passengers who no longer need to travel to Lagos before heading to London.”
Kemabonta added that Air Peace represents a balance between local identity and international service standards. “They’re giving Nigerians comfort and familiarity, but also global competitiveness. It shows we can have the best of both worlds.”
To make the journey seamless, Air Peace recently introduced a single-ticket option. Passengers from cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Owerri, Kano, Yola, Gombe, and Asaba can book through Abuja to London without the hassle of multiple reservations or baggage rechecks. Travellers arriving from London can also connect easily to these Nigerian destinations via Abuja, with more cities to be added.
For Onyema, the bigger picture is clear: Nigerian airlines are ready to step onto the world stage. “In the next five years, you’ll see us covering the globe,” he said confidently.