A former member of the House of Representatives Aviation Committee, Chidi Nwogu, has hailed Air Peace’s inaugural Abuja–London Heathrow flight as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

In a statement issued ahead of the maiden flight on Sunday, October 26, Nwogu said the milestone marks a new phase in the country’s drive to boost local participation on profitable international routes.

“I am delighted to be among aviation stakeholders scheduled for Air Peace’s maiden flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London Heathrow. This is a significant step in our aviation history and a win for Nigerian operators,” he said.

Nwogu also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for promoting fairness in the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, which enabled a Nigerian carrier to operate on a route long dominated by foreign airlines.

“The minister’s resilience and insistence on equity have created a positive environment for local airlines with the potential to expand into international markets,” he added.

He urged Air Peace and other domestic airlines to maintain high operational standards and expand their services across the West African sub-region.
“Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines should look into routes from Abuja to cities within West Africa. Some of these short routes are still being monopolised by non-Nigerian carriers and attract fares higher than some European destinations,” Nwogu stated.

He further linked the achievement to the government’s broader “Nigerian First Project,” aimed at promoting local enterprise across various sectors.

Nwogu pointed to the Nigerian Automotive Industry Bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, as another example of ongoing efforts to boost domestic manufacturing and self-reliance.

“When passed into law, the Bill will encourage ministries and agencies to patronise locally made products,” he noted.

The former lawmaker, who currently serves on the Governing Council of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, expressed optimism about the airline’s performance, saying, “I look forward to satisfactory preflight handling, onboard services, and arrival procedures comparable to global best practices.”