Nigeria’s carrier, Air Peace, has refuted reports suggesting that the British government stopped the airline from operating the London route for seven years.
In a statement on its X page, signed by the management on Thursday, the airline described the reports as “deliberate falsehood” aimed at creating bad blood between it and the British people.
“Our CEO never made such a statement accusing the British authorities. Instead, he praised and commended the British authorities for their cooperation in making Air Peace operations in the UK easy and seamless,” the management said.
The clarification followed social media reports claiming that Air Peace’s chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, had accused the UK of blocking the airline’s entry into the London route for years.
Air Peace said the story was fabricated. “This deliberate falsehood is authored and circulated with malicious intent to cause disaffection between Air Peace and its hosts, the British people,” the statement added.
The airline explained that British authorities had been supportive of its planned UK operations, stressing that all arrangements were in top gear for its maiden Abuja-London service on October 26, 2025.
Air Peace also reassured Nigerians of its commitment to strengthening the country’s presence in global aviation.
“We remain committed to delivering safe, affordable, and world-class services to the flying public,” it said.
The airline, which already operates international routes including Lagos to Dubai, Johannesburg, and Mumbai, said the London service is another step in deepening competition and giving Nigerian travellers more affordable options.
The airline has previously faced hurdles in foreign markets. PUNCH Online reports in 2022, that the United Arab Emirates imposed restrictions on its flights during a diplomatic row with Nigeria, leaving many passengers stranded.
