The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has announced that Nigeria is in talks with the United Kingdom to establish direct flights from Lagos to London.
This was disclosed in a statement shared on Saturday by Odutayo Oluseyi, the minister’s spokesperson. Keyamo discussed this matter during a meeting with the management of NORSE Atlantic Airways, led by CEO Ben Boiling, in London.
The minister stated that he is engaging with UK transport officials to explore a partnership between NORSE Atlantic Airways and Air Peace.
He highlighted that NORSE Atlantic Airways is a prominent carrier in the UK and Europe. Oluwatoyin Olajide, the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, expressed optimism about the meeting’s outcome and its potential to enable the airline to begin operating flights to the UK.
Additionally, Keyamo emphasized that one of his main objectives as minister is to promote the growth and development of Nigeria’s domestic airlines, aligning with President Bola Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope agenda.
Boiling responded to the minister by stating that NORSE Atlantic Airways is prepared to begin their partnership with Air Peace once they receive the final authorization to operate direct flights to Gatwick Airport in London.
“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,” the statement read.
