Vice President Kashim Shettima has vowed to intervene in resolving the ongoing issues preventing Nigerian airline, Air Peace, from securing landing rights at London Heathrow Airport.
Shettima’s commitment follows meetings with the Airline Operators of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, aimed at addressing the bureaucratic hurdles hindering Air Peace’s operations.
Air Peace, led by founder and CEO Allen Onyema, has been striving for a Heathrow slot but has faced continuous setbacks. Currently, the airline operates from Gatwick Airport, a secondary London hub, while Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, remains off-limits.
Onyema revealed that the Vice President is concerned about Nigerian airlines facing restricted access to prime airports abroad, and pledged diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
The Nigerian government had previously issued a warning to the UK through Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, stating that if Air Peace is not granted access to Heathrow, Nigeria may deny British Airways and Virgin Atlantic landing slots at Lagos and Abuja airports.
The dispute, which revolves around the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between both nations, emphasizes the need for equal landing privileges.
However, the UK’s Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) indicated that Air Peace missed two critical deadlines for slot submissions for the Northern Summer and Winter 2024 scheduling seasons.
During the meeting, Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a favorable environment for Nigerian airlines. He praised the recent signing of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Directions, which is expected to enhance ease of doing business within the aviation sector.
Onyema further stressed the importance of continued governmental support, noting the fragile nature of airline operations and their vital role in economic growth. He praised the CTC’s impact, stating that it would enable airlines to expand their reach across Africa and beyond, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s economy.
