The successful return of an indigenous carrier, Air Peace Airline, on the Lagos-London route has reactivated the call for Fly Nigeria Act.

The proposed legislation aims to compel civil servants and functionaries travelling on the route, and at government expense, to patronise the indigenous carrier.
The call for the Act, erstwhile championed by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), was rekindled at the inaugural flight and grand entry of Air Peace to London Gatwick yesterday morning.

The maiden flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, was dispatched last Friday midnight with fanfare greeted by top government functionaries, members of the aviation family and excited well-wishers.

The operating Boeing 777 264-seater airplane departed with 260 passengers onboard. Among them were the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his Industry, Trade and Investment counterpart, Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Air Peace makes a return to the highly competitive Lagos-London route about seven years after the forced exit of Med-View airline. Before Med-View were Arik Air and Bellview’s fortuitous exits on the route dominated by the duo of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Acting Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, stressed the need for governmental support for the airline, citing the Fly Nigeria Act as crucial for indigenous airlines’ success.

Najoma acknowledged the feisty aero politics on the route and in the build-up to the approval of Air Peace’s operations into London. He, however, pledged the backing of the apex regulatory body for Air Peace and other local carriers venturing into international routes, for sustainability purposes.

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He said it was high time the Federal Government reconsidered the Fly Nigeria Act as a bold statement in supporting one’s own.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Keyamo, expressed delight in Air Peace’s new route and also vowed to safeguard the airline and other Nigerian carriers.
Keyamo highlighted the economic benefits, predicting a reduction in forex demand and fare drops by other mega carriers.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Uzoka-Anite, hailed Air Peace’s achievement as a blend of innovation, determination and commitment to excellence.

Uzoka-Anite emphasised the significance of a local airline offering direct flights to the United Kingdom, promoting Nigerian capabilities globally.

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.”