Air Peace pushes for stronger transit hubs to boost Nigeria–UK air links

Nigeria’s expanding aviation landscape is entering a defining phase as Air Peace intensifies its presence on the busy Nigeria–UK corridor while urging national authorities to upgrade airport infrastructure. The carrier, which now serves both Lagos–Gatwick and Abuja–Heathrow with direct flights, believes the creation of fully functional transit facilities in the country’s major gateways will determine how much of West Africa’s fast‑growing traffic Nigeria can retain in the years ahead.

The London market remains the country’s most active long‑haul segment, drawing more than 450,000 passengers annually. Historically, much of this demand has been captured by non‑African airlines, but Air Peace is positioning itself to reverse the trend. Company chairman Dr. Allen Onyema, represented at a recent industry lecture in Lagos by Chief Commercial Officer Noel Ngala, highlighted how foreign players have dominated the corridor for decades. With British Airways present for over 90 years and Virgin Atlantic also long established, the route has never been easy terrain for an African operator.

Even with three airlines now offering nonstop Nigeria–London services, a large proportion of travellers still route through overseas hubs in Europe, the Gulf and parts of Africa. According to Air Peace, this pattern persists not only because of scheduling choices but also because Nigeria lacks true transit hubs that allow passengers to connect onward without reclaiming baggage or rechecking in. For regional travellers heading toward the UK, this shortcoming often makes airports in Accra, Addis Ababa, Doha, Dubai or Istanbul more convenient than Lagos or Abuja.

Air Peace entered the UK market in March 2024 with its Lagos–London Gatwick service, which has since grown steadily. Encouraged by demand and supported by Nigerian aviation authorities, the airline added Abuja–Heathrow operations in October 2025. With daily services from Lagos to Gatwick and several weekly frequencies linking Abuja with both Heathrow and Gatwick, the carrier is now the most active Nigerian operator on the UK corridor.

For industry professionals across sub‑Saharan Africa, this expansion reflects a wider shift in long‑haul aviation strategy. African airlines increasingly recognise that direct intercontinental connectivity strengthens national economies, reduces revenue outflow and enhances market competitiveness. By flying its own metal into the UK, Air Peace is positioning Nigeria to capture value that would otherwise be absorbed by foreign carriers.

The airline extended appreciation to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Government for supporting its UK operations. Such institutional backing has proven crucial as local airlines navigate tough aeropolitical environments and high operational costs. Air Peace also commended Nigerian travellers for their loyalty, noting that each booking reinforces the broader goal of ensuring domestic airlines remain viable on global routes.

At the heart of the conversation, however, is the call for Nigeria to invest in efficient transit infrastructure. Air Peace stressed that creating seamless, world‑class transfer systems at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport would attract regional traffic that currently bypasses Nigeria entirely. Without such upgrades, West Africa’s largest aviation market risks allowing neighbouring hubs to consolidate their advantage.

For African travel professionals, the implications of this evolution extend far beyond Nigeria. A well‑connected Lagos or Abuja would reshape regional air flows, offering new multi‑country itinerary options and supporting the rise of West African tourism circuits. Improved transfer efficiency would also make Nigeria a stronger partner for the continent’s hotel groups, logistics operators and destination marketers keen to link with Europe’s biggest travel markets.

Building such hubs requires more than upgraded terminals. Airlines argue that Nigeria must also streamline border‑control processes, implement internationally competitive baggage‑handling systems, and ensure predictable turnaround times. With these changes, the country could position itself as a natural gateway between London and markets stretching from Dakar to Douala and from Accra to Luanda.

Air Peace believes the timing is right. Its rising traffic to the UK demonstrates that Nigerian consumers welcome local options when frequencies and fares are competitive. For the wider African tourism sector, the carrier’s ambition reinforces the message that African airlines can shape their own long‑haul futures rather than ceding control to foreign networks.

The push for robust transit hubs also aligns with broader continental objectives under the Single African Air Transport Market, which aims to ease cross‑border air access and foster stronger aviation ecosystems. A Nigeria equipped with modern transfer capabilities would play a pivotal role in unlocking intra‑African mobility and strengthening ties with key global markets.

As Air Peace continues expanding its fleet and evaluating additional long‑haul opportunities, the call for better transit infrastructure reflects a strategic vision shared across the region. African aviation is evolving rapidly, and countries that invest early in connectivity, operational efficiency and passenger experience will shape tomorrow’s travel patterns. For Nigeria, the race to become West Africa’s primary gateway is well underway, and the decisions made now will influence the continent’s aviation landscape for years to come.