Air Peace has announced plans to begin direct international flights from Ogun State’s Gateway International Airport to London later this summer.
The development, confirmed by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Allen Onyema, signals a bold expansion of Nigeria’s international air connectivity beyond traditional hubs like Lagos and Abuja.
READ ALSO: Gateway International Airport commissioned
Speaking after an inspection of the newly commissioned airport, Onyema described the move as both strategic and inevitable, given the scale and quality of the facility.
“This is one of the best-equipped airports in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said, adding that the airline would not “sit back and watch this facility go unused.”
Routes
According to Onyema, Air Peace plans to operate flights from the Ogun-based airport to both Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, two of the United Kingdom’s busiest aviation gateways.
READ ALSO: Air Peace’s London Flight Fully Booked Till August
The airline intends to deploy its wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft for the route, a move that underscores the scale of its ambition and the expected passenger demand.
Industry observers say the introduction of direct flights from Ogun could significantly reduce pressure on Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport while opening up new travel options for passengers in Nigeria’s southwest corridor.
Onyema has confirmed that the country’s aviation authorities have granted regulatory backing for the initiative to proceed with the operations.
Aviation Hub
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently commissioned the Gateway International Airport, positioning it as more than just a regional facility.
The airport’s 4-kilometre runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, has been highlighted as a key advantage, placing it among the most technically capable facilities in the region.
The planned London route is expected to strengthen ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in areas of trade, tourism, and diaspora travel.
For many Nigerian travellers, direct international connections outside Lagos could mean shorter travel times, reduced congestion, and more competitive pricing.
Aviation Map
Beyond the immediate excitement, the announcement signals a deeper shift in how Nigeria approaches aviation development.
Lagos has dominated international travel for decades.
But with Ogun now entering the mix, the map is changing and fast.
If successfully executed, the new London route could redefine travel patterns, ease logistical bottlenecks, and create a more balanced aviation ecosystem across the country.
In plain terms, this isn’t just about flights. It’s about positioning Nigeria as a stronger, more connected player in global aviation.
