Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline and a leading carrier in West Africa, has announced plans to commence international flight operations from London to Gateway International Airport this summer.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed this during an interview with journalists after inspecting the airport facilities alongside Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“We are coming here, under the instrumentality of his invitation, to start doing London Gatwick, London Heathrow to Gateway International Airport this summer,” he told journalists.
The visit followed the official commissioning of the airport by President Bola Tinubu on Saturday.
According to Onyema, Air Peace will operate flights connecting both London Gatwick and Heathrow airports to Ogun, marking a significant milestone for the state’s aviation sector.
He praised the state government for delivering a world-class aviation facility, describing the airport as one of the best-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This is one of the best-equipped airports in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Air Peace will not sit back and watch this facility go unused. When you see a promising initiative, you must embrace it,” Onyema said
Air Peace Targets London–Ogun Route as Gateway Airport Takes Off
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Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has unveiled plans to launch direct international flights from London to Ogun State this summer, marking a major leap for the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport.
The airline’s CEO, Allen Onyema, made the announcement after inspecting the facility alongside Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, following its inauguration by Bola Tinubu.
According to Onyema, Air Peace will operate flights from both London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport into the Ogun-based airport, positioning it as a new international gateway in Nigeria.
He described the facility as one of the most advanced in Sub-Saharan Africa, noting its four-kilometre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380. The airline plans to deploy its Boeing 777 fleet for the route.
Onyema said the move had secured necessary approvals from aviation authorities and emphasised that the airport represents a national economic asset with strong commercial potential.
Governor Abiodun outlined broader ambitions for the airport, revealing plans for an integrated ecosystem that includes a conference centre and a 550-room five-star hotel to boost business travel and tourism.
He added that cargo operations are already underway, with Allied Air active, while Ethiopian Airlines and another European carrier are expected to commence services soon.
The governor projected about 50 cargo flights between April and year-end, signalling growing activity at the airport.
Abiodun also announced the launch of Gateway Airlines, which has acquired Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to improve domestic connectivity.
With passenger and cargo operations gathering momentum, Ogun State is positioning the Gateway International Airport as a rising aviation hub—potentially Nigeria’s third busiest after Lagos and Abuja.
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