Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, others gear up to fly US routes

Nigerian airlines, such as Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, are preparing to start flights to the United States in the near future.

This initiative follows the Federal Government's approval and increased support to help domestic airlines expand their international services.

The minister of aviation had outlined strategies to enable local airlines to dominate international routes shortly.

It would be recalled that a few months ago, Air Peace had commenced its historic Lagos-London international flights with much fanfare.

The airline later hinted that it plans to start operating flights from Abuja to New York and Houston by the end of 2024 following approvals by the aviation regulatory agency.

FG supporting Nigerian airlines

Recently, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, committed to reducing the cost of international flights. He also outlined strategies to enable local airlines to dominate international routes shortly.

Keyamo emphasised that, through the President Bola Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry is working to remove obstacles and create a favourable environment for both domestic and international airlines to thrive.

Tunde Moshood, Keyamo's Special Assistant on Media and Communications, informed The PUNCH that the government is prepared to assign additional international routes to domestic airlines.

He said: “There are several BASA routes to be fixed for our local operators the moment they show capacity and consistency. It’s for the local operators to show readiness and capacity, fixing them for any of the BASA routes is what the Minister has promised.”

An anonymous representative from the Airline Operators of Nigeria confirmed that Air Peace has recently received approval to fly to the US. The representative also mentioned that other airlines are currently being considered for similar opportunities.

He said: “The airline that the government gave the right to fly to the US routes is Air Peace. There are other airlines but Air Peace has just been recently offered that.”

Osita Okonkwo, the Chief Operating Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, stated that the airline is ready to begin operations, emphasising that the primary challenge is obtaining slots and permits from US authorities.

He said: “You can have the fleet and they can delay giving you slots. We are designated to go to the US routes but we have to get slots first. So we are doing the process. Slot and permit are major issues."