The United Kingdom has confirmed that it will address the ultimatum issued by Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, in due course.
This response comes after Keyamo’s stern warning on August 1, 2024, where he insisted that unless Nigerian airline, Air Peace, is granted landing slots at London Heathrow Airport, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic could face potential restrictions from accessing Nigeria’s main international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Keyamo’s concerns were outlined in a letter sent to the UK’s Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh. He highlighted the importance of fair treatment in international aviation agreements, pointing out that Air Peace has been relegated to flying into Gatwick Airport, a move he described as a violation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UK. According to the agreement, both countries should enjoy reciprocal rights, but while British airlines have unrestricted access to Nigeria’s top airports in Lagos and Abuja, Air Peace has been unable to secure slots at Heathrow.
The Aviation Minister’s letter demanded immediate corrective action, stating that Nigeria will not tolerate the unfair treatment of its national carrier.
Following Keyamo’s letter, Daily Sun sought clarification from the UK’s Transport Secretary regarding the UK government’s position and intended actions to resolve the dispute. In response, an email from her researcher, Henry Smith, confirmed that the inquiry had been forwarded to the Department of Transport for further handling.
Daily Sun also submitted a Freedom of Information request to the UK’s Department of Transport, which acknowledged receipt and indicated that a response would be provided in due time.
In an effort to follow up on the matter, Daily Sun contacted Minister Keyamo’s office to inquire if there had been any official response from the UK government. The Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Tunde Moshood, confirmed that no response had been received yet.
