High expectations as indigenous carrier returns to Lagos-London route

*Air Peace rolls out competitive fares, 60% slash

After about six years of hiatus, indigenous airlines will this month return to the Lagos-London route, with Air Peace Airline restoring national pride and competition on the busy route.

Air Peace, the largest domestic carrier by fleet capacity, is making a maiden entry this month after the exit of the likes of Bellview, Arik Air and Med-View Airlines.

The flag carrier is also opening with competitive fares that amount to over 60 per cent slash of the fares currently offered by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic among others.

It will be recalled that Med-View Airlines was the last Nigerian carrier to operate on the Lagos-London route, following the exit of Bellview and Arik Air. The European Union (EU), in 2017, restricted Med-View flight operations to the regions over alleged safety concerns and a certification audit that was allegedly not updated. The sanction was partly due to the airline’s delay in having its Boeing767 aircraft audited for international operations, in line with the EU airspace rules.

To return indigenous carriers on the Bilateral route currently dominated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, the Federal Government granted Air Peace approval to operate on the route about four years ago.

With the preliminaries now over, stakeholders are already excited about the fare competition on one of the busiest routes for Nigerian travellers.
Currently, a British Airways Economy class return ticket from Lagos to London costs $2,698 which amounts to about N4.7 million (at N1778/1$ International Air Transport Association (IATA) rate on the airline ticketing platform). British Airways Business class costs $8,598, which amounts to about N15.2 million.

Its main rival, Virgin Atlantic, Economy Classic costs $1,745 which amounts to N3.1 million, Economy Delight costs $1,797, which amounts to almost N3.2 million, Economy Premium costs $3,442 or N6.1 million.

However, according to Air Peace, a Return Economy Class Ticket will go for N1.2 million while a Return Business Class Ticket sells for N4 million. The airline added that Nigerians studying in the UK can now access their special 15 per cent rebate on the already reduced Economy fares.

The airline earlier announced a special fare for Nigerian students in the UK when it hosted travel agents in Lagos last week, in preparation for the launch of the London route.

Travel consultant, Sunday Olumegbon, said the launch and return of indigenous airlines to “cut-throat” international routes is the exact response Nigeria’s economy needs at this difficult time.

“I am excited, and we are looking forward to the launch. It is one of the best news for the local economy in recent times. That is how to be proactive and jump-start a dying economy. All Nigerians will be a beneficiary, including the airline itself,” Olumegbon said.

Another industry expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) said the competition has started and it is commendable.

“I hope the foreign airlines and their multiple frequencies and destinations in our country can gradually get reduced.

“This is the beginning of the competition for scrapping the exploitation of the foreign airlines on the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) routes. We hope those in the administration of our government and the management of the agencies will give the necessary support to Air Peace,” Ojikutu said.

In a related development, Norse Atlantic Airways has announced its partnership with Air Peace for an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) charter service.

This collaboration marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at providing seamless air travel solutions between London and Lagos, Nigeria.

Commencing in April 2024, the ACMI charter will operate four times a week, offering travellers convenient and reliable transportation options between these key destinations.

Norse Atlantic Airways will be using slots at London Gatwick allocated to Air Peace to facilitate this new route. Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, said as they make a foray into the European market, they are confident that this strategic partnership would further position Air Peace to surpass the expectations of customers, “offering them superior air travel experience while we continue to optimise our operations for more innovative service delivery”.

The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, Bjørn Tore Larsen, said the collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to leverage expertise in charter operations to deliver a reliable and high-quality service to Air Peace and its customers.