The United Kingdom aviation authorities have expressed their willingness to engage in discussions regarding the allocation of landing slots for Air Peace, Nigeria’s national carrier, at Heathrow Airport in London.
In early September, Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formally requested the UK government to grant Air Peace landing rights at Heathrow through a diplomatic letter. This move was part of efforts to secure a slot for the Nigerian airline at one of the world’s busiest airports.
In response, the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, acknowledged the request and indicated that her department is open to further discussions on the matter. She suggested that these discussions could take place during the upcoming International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) event in October 2024.
This exchange comes amid reports that the Nigerian government had considered restricting landing slots for UK airlines at Lagos and Abuja airports if Air Peace’s request is not granted. The ongoing dialogue highlights the importance of equitable slot allocation in fostering stronger aviation ties between both nations.
