Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has announced plans to begin international flight operations from Gateway International Airport in Ogun State to London this summer, connecting the new facility to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed the development after inspecting the airport alongside Governor Dapo Abiodun, following the official commissioning of the facility by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Onyema described the airport as one of the best-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa, praising the state government for delivering a world-class aviation hub.
“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,” Onyema said. “When you see a promising initiative, you must embrace it.”
He noted that the airport’s 4-kilometre runway is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, and that Air Peace intends to deploy its Boeing 777 fleet on the London route. Onyema added that he has received approval from the Minister of Aviation to proceed, describing the project as a national asset rather than a purely state initiative.
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, announced plans to expand the airport’s ecosystem with the construction of an international conference centre and a 550-room five-star hotel, positioning Ogun State as a hub for global business and tourism.
He disclosed that cargo operations have already commenced with Allied Air, while Ethiopian Airlines is expected to begin operations soon. Another European carrier is also set to launch cargo services into the state. Abiodun projected that approximately 50 cargo flights would operate through the airport between April and the end of the year.
The governor further revealed the establishment of Gateway Airlines, which has acquired two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The 90-seater planes are expected to enhance connectivity between Ogun State, Abuja, and other major Nigerian cities.
With these developments, Abiodun expressed confidence that Gateway International Airport could soon become Nigeria’s third busiest aviation hub, after Lagos and Abuja.
