Second London gateway after Gatwick: Air Peace operates inaugural flight to Heathrow Airport
October 26, 2025
Nigeria’s Air Peace has touched down at Heathrow Airport, its second destination in London. The airline already operates flights between London Gatwick and Lagos, and has today inaugurated flights between Abuja and Heathrow. The route is a symbolic move, as the carrier’s expenses will no doubt mount as it duplicates resources for operations at two different London hubs.
It is nevertheless a significant milestone and is a testament to the carrier’s international ambitions. Nigeria has been looking to end the English monopoly from London Heathrow that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have on the market, by offering services of its own. Air Peace’s management has called on the local public sector to prioritise them over the competition to “demonstrate patriotism.”
Air Peace launches Lagos to Heathrow
The inaugural service to Heathrow touched down at 16:57 local time. It departed Abuja slightly delayed at 12:05 with the airline’s Boeing 777-200ER registered 5N-CEG. It will fly the route three times per week from Heathrow and three times from London Gatwick. All in all, the Abuja to London route will see six weekly flights but split between the two London gateways.
The carrier has four Boeing 777s in service, registered as follows per information from planespotters.net.
- 5N-BVE, a 27-year-old 777-200
- 5N-CEG, a 20 year-old 777-200
- 5N-BUU, a 23-year-old 777-300
- 5N-BWI, a 21 year-old 777-300
These aircraft support Air Peace’s long-haul operations, which is currently limited to its London operations. Aside from Abuja which launches today, Air Peace has flown between Lagos and London Gatwick since March 2024, currently flying on a daily basis.
Air Peace is the second of three new airlines at London Heathow today. Riyadh Air landed this morning, while IndiGo will touch down for the first time at the airport later this evening.
How did Air Peace get slots at London Heathrow?
The London Heathrow launch has not come without its challenges for Air Peace. First and foremost: slots.
Nigerian Minister for Aviation, Festus Keyamo wrote a letter to the UK Government threatening to ban Virgin Atlantic and British Airways from flying to Lagos and Abuja should Air Peace not receive slots at Heathrow.
However, the UK government is unable to intervene in the slot allocation process at Heathrow, managed by independent body Airport Coordination Limited (ACL). Air Peace also engaged in its own lobbying efforts, but was told that due to Heathrow’s capacity constraints, slots would be granted as and when available.
Air Peace was eventually granted slots at Heathrow through the normal procedure. New entrant carriers are prioritised for new slots. It is understood that Iran Air’s inability to operate to the UK due to Western sanctions meant that additional slots were available, ultimately allocated to Air Peace.
“Demontrate patriotism”: Air Peace’s plea to the Nigerian government to avoid the competition
Air Peace executives have acknowledged that the London Heathrow entry is symbolic. It has framed it as a key milestone in its history, and has been applauded by Nigerian officials. Dr. Onyema has said that both countries “have come a long way, and this is how it ought to be, a true partnership of respect and shared progress.”
He has also urged members of the Nigerian government, senators, high commissioners “and the entire Abuja community” to opt “exclusively” for Air Peace for flights to London Heathrow. The route is also served daily with British Airways. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic flies daily between Lagos and Heathrow. “Our airlines offer competitive fares and seamless service. Supporting them means strengthening Nigeria’s economy and projecting our national pride,” Dr. Onyema continued.
Featured image: Air Peace
