Nigerian Airline company, Airpeace, Friday, announced its first ever Lagos to London flight – a development which comes after eleven years after its establishment.
The announcement came in during the pre launch forum which was organized by the airline and which had travel agencies and other partners who had involvement with the upcoming london flights all in attendance.
Other dignitaries who were present at the launch include the minister of aviation and aerospace, Festus Kayemo, the minister of industry, trade and investment, Doris Uzoka Anite and the acting director general of the Ngeria civil aviation authority amongst others.
The chief operating officer of air peace while at the launch, gave his assurance that the London flights would be carried out daily with the Boeing 777 aircraft and the Boeing 787 dreamliner aircraft which is considered to be the most modern and efficient aircraft in the skies. He added that the launch came with promo fares and very attractive plans for agents.
This new feat has set air peace above its other competitions as there would be direct flights without stopovers from Lagos to London and it overs unbeatable fares.
According to the chairman of the airline, Allen Onyema, all airline agents would receive same commission irrespective of size and status.
It was disclosed that the airline got the approval of the federal government through the federal ministry of aviation as an airline ready to fly to New york in the United States.
The president of the Nigerian association of tour operators Ime Udo, who was also present at the launch commended air peace for passionately considering Nigeria first in all of its dealings.
He said “I can see the passion that you have for NIgeria, and it was that passion that drove you to do everything you have done for this country, we have embraced air peace as ours”
The minister of industry, trade and investment described this feat as the convergence of innovation, determination and unwavering commitment to excellence. She also said “Nigeria is celebrating more than just a flight but the ingenuity of Nigeria. It can be seen that the airline did not just start its London operations because of arrivals and departures but a trade investment and collaboration.
Coming to reasons why the airline choose Gatwick airport for its Lagos to London operations, the CEO, Allen Onyema said, “the bilateral air service agreement (BASA) we signed with the UK is this; you give me your primary airport, we give our primary airport. This means the local airline was to be given UK’s primary airport which is Heathrow same way Nigeria offered her primary airports to the british airlines and virgin atlantic Airways. But refusing to the deal, air peace settled for Gatwick and later realised it is very beneficial to the airline’s operations.”
In regards to air peace’s Lagos to London operations, the local airline also signed an aircraft crew maintainance and insurance deal with the Norse atlantic airways. the deal is slated to last for a duration of two months starting april 2024.
