Air Peace’s first London flight spur excitement

The excitement of the weekend’s full flight to London by Air Peace was noteworthy in Nigeria.

To celebrate this occasion of its inaugural flight to London, the airline held a brief ceremony at  Murtala Muhammed International Airport New Terminal, BusinessDay.

Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion include Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and aerospace development, Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Chris Najomo, acting director, general, NCAA amongst others.

The Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development,Festus Keyamo,  Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, and the Acting Director General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, among others are some dignitaries present at this occasion.

The passengers of the Air Peace flight to London said the flight was a long time coming, and that it marked a new dawn for the Nigerian travel industry.

Air Peace is changing the narrative to air travel with this maiden flight. We see that fares are gradually reduced since Air Peace announced flight to London, according to a passenger.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite described Air Peace’s achievement as a convergence of innovation, determination and constant commitment to excellence.

She said “Nigeria has needed a local airline flying directly to the UK for several years. Air Peace proudly wears the badge of ‘Made in Nigeria.’ It is a symbol of our collective effort to showcase our capabilities to the world. From the skilled hands that maintain the aircraft to the warm smiles of the cabin crew, every aspect of Air Peace reflects the spirit of our nation,” she said.

“Let us reflect on the economic impact of this flight. Air Peace’s presence in London is not merely about arrivals and departures; it is about trade, investment, and collaboration.

“By choosing Air Peace, you choose to invest in Nigeria. You choose to empower local businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. In December 2023, the UK exported £185 million to Nigeria and imported £154 million, resulting in a negative trade balance of £30.8 million. This is a trend we wish to change in Nigeria’s favour and an additional trade route is a major step in the right direction.”

In addition, she noted that the choice of Nigerians to fly with Air Peace is noteworthy confidence, stressing that the airline has a commendable safety record, holding a 7 out of 7 safety rating according to Airline Ratings and has successfully undergone the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification four times, underlining its commitment to rigorous safety standards.

“So I entreat all potential passengers to trust them to carry you safely across continents and remember that you are part of a movement—a movement that encourages Nigerians to patronize their own. Let us be ambassadors in the skies, sharing stories of our rich heritage, our vibrant culture, and the warmth that defines us,” Uzoka-Anite added.