Nigeria: Aviation Minister in talks with UK’s NORSE Atlantic Airways, pledges support for indigenous airlines

Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting and expanding the reach of Nigerian airlines on the global stage. 

The declaration came during discussions held in London, where the Minister engaged with the management of NORSE Atlantic Airways, a major carrier in the UK and Europe.

The Minister underscored the government’s steadfast support for domestic carriers, emphasising the necessity of forging partnerships and exploring new opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation sector. 

The discussions primarily focused on the strategic partnership between NORSE Atlantic Airways and Air Peace, a leading Nigerian carrier.

Commending Air Peace for its significant presence on regional and international routes, Minister Keyamo praised the collaboration with NORSE Atlantic Airways as a positive step toward fostering connectivity and driving growth within the industry. 

He emphasised the critical role of aviation in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to revitalize Nigeria’s economy.

During the discussions, Mr. Ben Boiling, CEO of NORSE Atlantic Airways, expressed readiness to initiate the partnership with Air Peace pending final authorisation for direct flights from Lagos, Nigeria, to Gatwick Airport. 

Simultaneously, officials from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) engaged with their counterparts from the UK Department for Transport to address challenges related to slot allocation for Air Peace’s operations at Gatwick Airport.

Despite recognising the UK government’s limited authority over slot allocation, both parties delved into key issues such as departure times, turnaround times, and the approval process for the 2024 summer schedule. 

The Nigerian delegation, comprising Capt. Chris Najomo, Ag. Director General of NCAA; Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, Director of Air Transport Management; and Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, Director of Air Transport Regulations at NCAA, worked constructively with UK authorities to facilitate a resolution conducive to Air Peace’s entry into the UK market.

While discussions are still ongoing, the minister expressed optimism that resolutions will be reached to enable Air Peace to fulfill its commitment to serving Nigerian travelers and meeting the growing demand for direct flights to the United Kingdom.