Wed Sep 18 01:41:00 UTC 2024: ## Nigerian VP Steps in to Secure Air Peace Landing Rights at Heathrow
**Abuja, Nigeria** – Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged to intervene in the ongoing dispute over Nigerian airline Air Peace’s denied landing rights at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The issue arose after Air Peace, despite numerous attempts, failed to secure slots at Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports. This forced the airline to operate from Gatwick Airport, a secondary airport.
The Nigerian government, through Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, warned the UK that it would reciprocate by denying British Airways and Virgin Atlantic landing rights at Lagos and Abuja airports if Air Peace’s concerns were not addressed. This threat stems from the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UK, which mandates equal landing privileges for airlines from both countries.
However, the UK’s Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) revealed that Air Peace missed crucial deadlines for submitting slot requests, citing this as the reason for the denial.
Following a meeting with Airline Operators of Nigeria, Vice President Shettima assured the industry that he would engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter. He committed to speaking with his UK counterparts to ensure Nigerian airlines receive fair treatment and access to key international airports.
“There is no quarrel. The Vice President has taken it upon himself to make sure that Nigerian airlines are given their dues abroad,” stated Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema after the meeting.
The Vice President’s intervention signals a commitment to securing fair treatment for Nigerian airlines on the international stage. It remains to be seen whether this diplomatic initiative will successfully pave the way for Air Peace’s operations at Heathrow.
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