Air Peace Chairman explains choice of Gatwick over Heathrow for London flights
Dr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, has explained that the airline opted for the Southern Terminal at Gatwick Airport for its London flights due to the United Kingdom’s failure to fully uphold its Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Nigeria.
In an interview on The Morning Show, an Arise TV program, Onyema disclosed that Air Peace’s request for a terminal at Heathrow, the UK’s primary airport, was denied, prompting the airline to explore other options.
According to Onyema, while Gatwick wasn’t initially the preferred choice, it eventually proved advantageous over Heathrow due to its accessibility and convenience for passengers.
He emphasised, “The BASA we signed with the UK is this: You give me your primary airport, we give you ours. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, both of them come into my country (Nigeria) using our primary airports – Lagos and Abuja.”
Onyema recounted the challenges faced during the application process, stating, “When we applied, they told us Heathrow was not available to us. They even suggested Stansted or Luton airports, which I found very insulting.”
Despite initial reluctance, Onyema highlighted the benefits of Gatwick, particularly its proximity to Southeast London and its efficient transport connections to central London.
“At the same time, when you look at the traffic situation in Heathrow to the centre of London, it is very excruciating, but from Gatwick, they allotted the Southern Terminal to Air Peace,” he explained.
He further elaborated on Gatwick’s advantages, noting, “And when you get to the Southern Terminal, you get out of immigration, take your luggage and you get into the Gatwick express train within three minutes, which will take you to Victoria right into central London.”
Onyema remarked that Gatwick has turned out to be even better at the end of the day for the airline, emphasising the unexpected benefits of the decision.
