Gatwick Airport acknowledges Air Peace after social media backlash

By Tope Templer Olaiya

GATWICK Airport, London, has finally announced the commencement of flights by Nigeria’s Air Peace.

Air Peace had commenced a direct Lagos- London flight to London Gatwick on March 30, 2024, amid fanfare. But the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom failed follow its tradition of announcing inaugural flights

The airport did not also accord Air Peace the ceremo nial water cannon salute to welcome the inaugural flight of a new airline. Nigerians had bombarded the airport on its social media channels over its failure to acknowledge the indigenous airline.

Checks revealed that the Airport on its verified X handle @ Gatwick_ Airport on April 3, announced the inaugural flight of Swiss Airline, days after Air Peace commenced flight.

“Yesterday we celebrated the inaugural flight of @ FLYSWISS from London Gatwick! Swiss International Air Lines will be flying six times a week to Zürich! Serving as the main hub of the airline, Zürich Airport is a gateway to Swiss’ vast network of global destinations,” the airport had announced on its X handle.

However, after sustained pressure from Nigerian social media users, the airport announced Air Peace’s presence 11 days after the airline flagged off its flights to the airportgatwick Airport, in a post on its X account yesterday, expressing excitement at welcoming Air Peace to the Lagos- London route, whose operations commenced on March 31, 2024.

"Exciting news! We recently welcomed Nigerian carrier @ flyairpeace to the London Gatwick family, flying daily to Lagos," the company's post partly read.

Immediately after the official recognition, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, grudgingly acknowledged the congratulatory message issued by Gatwick Airport to welcome Nigerian carrier Air Peace to its fold. However, Keyamo was a little dissatisfied that Gatwick's message was belated and made his feelings known accordingly.

Reacting, the minister first thanked the company before noting that the message should have come on the first day Air Peace arrived at the airport.

Keyamo also said the Nigerian government is looking forward to working with Gatwick Airport to ensure seamless operations for the airline.

"Finally! Thank you @ Gatwick_ Airport. We expected this on the first day of the arrival of one of our most important local airlines @ flyairpeace, but better late than never. We look forward to working with you to ensure seamless operations by @ flyairpeace from your airport. The Government of Nigeria fully supports our local operators," the minister wrote while quoting Gatwick Airport's post.