FG Reiterates Commitment To Supporting Local Airlines, Makes Case For Slot Allocation To Air Peace At Gatwick Airport

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo has reiterated that the Federal Government of Nigeria would always support Nigeria’s Airlines to grow and flourish, breaking new grounds in order for them to remain in business.

Keyamo stated this on Friday in London, United Kingdom while holding discussions with the management of NORSE Atlantic Airways led by its CEO, Mr Ben Boiling.

The discussions centered on the partnership of NORSE Atlantic Airways with the leading Nigeria’s domestic carrier, Air Peace Airline. NORSE Atlantic Airways is a major carrier in the UK and Europe.

The Minister at the meeting gave credence to the spread of Air Peace on regional and international routes, and stated that NORSE Atlantic Airways partnership with Air Peace Airline is the right step in the right direction, according to a statement by
Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs Department of the Ministry.

He emphasised that one of his Key Performance Indicators [KPI] and presidential directive was ensuring the growth and development of Nigeria’s domestic airlines, as Aviation is one of the key components of the Renewed Hope Agenda trust of the current administration under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reviving Nigeria’s economy.

Mr Boiling on his part thanked the Minister for being part of the discussions and that NORSE Atlantic Airways was ready to start the partnership with Air Peace Airline the moment the final authorisation is granted to Air Peace Airline for the commencement of direct flights into Gatwick Airport in London from Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigeria Aeronautical Authority officials from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA] were in London to discuss with the officials of Department for Transport of the UK on how to surmount the issue of slot allocation to Air Peace Airline to fly into Gatwick Airport in London.

Also at the meeting were top executive management team of Air Peace Airline led by its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide and Ms Nnenna Onyema, Executive Director.

Since securing its authorisation to fly into the UK, after satisfying all the requirements, the issue of slot allocation at Gatwick Airport has been the major obstacle preventing the Airline from commencing the direct flight into London.

Though, the officials of the Department for Transport at the meeting made it known that the Government of the UK had no authority over allocation of slots at the eight primary airports in the UK, they agreed to raise the concern of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the relevant authorities on the three major issues presented on behalf of Air Peace Airline which were- the staggering departure time; restrictive turn around time; and approval for the 2024 summer schedule.

It is hoped that the fall out of the meeting would achieve its purpose to enable Air Peace Airline to commence its flight operations into the United Kingdom, which Nigerians have been yearning for.

Officials of the Nigerian Aeronautical Authority at the meeting were Capt. Chris Najomo, Ag. Director General of NCAA; Mr Hassan Ejibunu, Director, Air Transport Management of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Director, Air Transport Regulations of NCAA.