Heathrow Bound: Air Peace in Running for Prestigious UK Airport Slot

UK Welcomes Air Peace to Heathrow - Slot Allocation on the Table

“We consider the social, economic and political links between our two countries to be...”

Nigeria-UK Aviation Dispute: Air Peace's Heathrow Slot Allocation Sparks Reciprocal Threats

Nigeria's Federal Government had issued a warning: deny Air Peace a Heathrow slot, and UK airlines (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic) risk losing theirs at Lagos and Abuja airports.

Air Peace launched direct Lagos-London flights in March but faces limitations operating out of Gatwick Airport. Most passengers prefer Heathrow due to its proximity to central London, hindering Air Peace's growth.

The UK's aviation authorities are open to discussing slot allocation for Air Peace, Nigeria's flagship carrier, at London's Heathrow Airport. This development comes after Nigeria's Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, reached out to his UK counterpart, Louise Haigh, to address the issue. Keyamo had warned that if Air Peace isn't allocated a slot at Heathrow, Nigeria might reciprocate by denying British Airways and Virgin Atlantic slots at Lagos and Abuja airports.

The UK Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, has agreed to further discuss the matter at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Negotiations event this October. Currently, Air Peace operates from Gatwick Airport, but the airline is keen to move to Heathrow, which is closer to central London. Heathrow's slot allocation is managed by Airport Coordination Limited, an independent organization, making it challenging for the British government to enforce slot allocation to specific carriers.

Pointers:

UK Aviation Authorities Open to Discussion: Willing to discuss slot allocation for Air Peace at Heathrow Airport.

Minister's Warning: Nigeria may reciprocate if Air Peace is denied Heathrow slot.

Upcoming Talks: International Civil Aviation Negotiations event in October 2024.

Current Operations: Air Peace operates from Gatwick Airport.

Heathrow Slot Allocation: Managed by Airport Coordination Limited.

This is a significant development in the efforts to resolve the slot allocation issue for Air Peace. Let's see how the discussions unfold.

“We consider the social, economic and political links between our two countries to be vital,” Haigh wrote.

“They rely on a vibrant air services market, which I hope we can continu protect by working together.

“They rely on a vibrant air services market, which I hope we can continue to protect by working together.

“International connectivity is critical for the continued prosperity of our citizens and businesses, and I therefore very much appreciate your representations on behalf of Nigerian carriers.”

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has expressed strong displeasure over the UK's repeated denial of a Heathrow Airport slot to Air Peace, Nigeria's flagship carrier, on the Nigeria-London route. Since beginning UK operations in March, Air Peace has been forced to fly into Gatwick Airport, a less preferred option.

Keyamo's August 1, 2024 letter warned the UK that if Air Peace doesn't secure a Heathrow slot, Nigeria will reciprocate by denying British Airways and Virgin Atlantic slots at Lagos and Abuja airports. However, UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh explained that Air Peace missed the slot coordination process for each season.

Alternative Options for Air Peace:

Join the Waitlist: Air Peace can join the Heathrow Airport waitlist for future slot allocations.

Slot Trading and Commercial Arrangements: Air Peace can acquire slots through trading or commercial agreements with other carriers.

Operate from Another Airport: Air Peace can choose to operate from a different UK airport, which they've currently done with Gatwick.

Haigh emphasized these options, highlighting Air Peace's flexibility in resolving the issue. The situation underscores the complexities of international aviation agreements and slot allocations.