The dispute surrounding Air Peace’s flight operations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom has escalated significantly. Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has formally addressed the issue by sending a letter to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, on August 1, 2024.
In his correspondence, Keyamo expressed Nigeria’s serious concerns over the lack of allocated slots for Air Peace at Heathrow Airport. He emphasized that the situation could lead to reciprocal measures if not resolved promptly. Specifically, Keyamo indicated that Nigeria might restrict British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from operating at Lagos and Abuja airports if Air Peace’s access issues are not addressed.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing negotiations and highlights the growing tensions between the two countries over aviation rights. The Nigerian government’s stance underscores its commitment to ensuring fair treatment for its national carriers on international routes.