The UK’s government is expected to respond shortly to Nigeria’s recent ultimatum regarding Air Peace’s landing slots at London Heathrow Airport. This follows Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, issuing a warning on August 1, 2024, that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic might be barred from Nigeria’s major airports if Air Peace isn’t granted slots at Heathrow.
Keyamo argues that the allocation of slots to Gatwick instead of Heathrow is a violation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two nations. This move, seen as a push for fair treatment of Nigerian airlines, challenges the longstanding operations of British carriers in Nigeria.
Despite this, findings show that the BASA agreement signed in 1988 does not cover airport slot allocation, which is managed by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines. As a result, Air Peace may need to independently negotiate this matter.
Experts argue that while the Minister’s stance is bold, a collaborative approach involving aviation authorities, Heathrow Airport, and Air Peace is crucial for resolving the issue without causing major disruptions.
