Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, has announced the airline’s acquisition of a flight slot at London’s Heathrow Airport, expanding its international reach with plans to commence Abuja-to-London service starting October 26, 2025.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Onyema confirmed that the airline received the slot from British aviation authorities.
He described it as a milestone for Air Peace’s overseas operations and credited the development to support from the Federal Government, notably President

Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.

The announcement comes during a period of heightened scrutiny of the airline, following a dispute involving a prominent Nigerian political figure. Though Onyema avoided naming the individual—believed to be former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole—he referenced recent incidents that triggered public criticism of the airline.

Onyema stated that the company is being targeted in what he described as an orchestrated attempt to discredit its contributions to national development.

He argued that Air Peace’s growth should be recognised as a national asset rather than subjected to what he termed destructive sentiments and actions.

He expressed concern over the impact such criticism could have on indigenous businesses, warning that undermining local enterprises could ultimately lead to broader socio-economic instability, especially considering the scale of employment they provide.

While responding to the controversy, Onyema said the airline’s mission is rooted in patriotic commitment rather than profit.

He also appealed to Nigerians and regulatory bodies to support rather than attack institutions striving to represent the country internationally.

The new Heathrow slot follows the airline’s existing daily Lagos-London route, which began earlier this year. With the Abuja-London route slated to commence in the fourth quarter, Air Peace positions itself as Nigeria’s first indigenous carrier to run multiple daily flights to the UK’s flagship airport.