Two Nigerian airline operators now have approval to serve the lucrative London market, following the latest aviation development involving Omni-Blu Aviation and Enugu Air. The development gives Nigeria another opportunity to expand its presence on the UK route, where British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have maintained a strong position.
Nigeria’s presence on the London route has historically been limited, despite the high demand for travel between both countries.
For years, Air Peace remained the only Nigerian airline operating scheduled direct flights to London. However, a new approval granted to Omni-Blu Aviation, working with Enugu Air, is changing the picture.
The development also raises questions about how many Nigerian airlines have the right to fly to the UK, the routes they serve and the competition they face from British carriers.
How many Nigerian airlines are approved to fly to London?
Two Nigerian airline operations are now represented under the Nigeria–United Kingdom Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
They are Air Peace and the Omni-Blu Aviation–Enugu Air partnership.
Air Peace previously held the position as Nigeria’s only carrier operating scheduled direct flights to London.
However, Omni-Blu received approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority on November 4, 2026, to operate scheduled passenger services between Lagos and London Gatwick.
The approval covers four weekly frequencies and takes effect ahead of the airline’s planned December 1 commencement date.
The development increases Nigeria’s available flight capacity on the route. However, Omni-Blu will operate the service in partnership with Enugu Air rather than using aircraft under either company’s own operating certificate.
The approved aircraft, registration CS-TGD, will operate under a wet-lease arrangement with Portugal-based EuroAtlantic Airways.
1. Air Peace: Lagos and Abuja to London
Air Peace is Nigeria’s first airline to establish scheduled direct passenger services to London in recent years.
The carrier launched its Lagos–London Gatwick service on March 30, 2024, before expanding its operations to include Abuja.
Its current allocation under the BASA arrangement covers 13 weekly frequencies.
These include:
- Seven weekly flights between Lagos and London Gatwick.
- Three weekly flights between Abuja and London Gatwick.
- Three weekly flights between Abuja and London Heathrow.
The airline’s entry into the UK market followed years of negotiations over airport access and flight rights.
Its chairman, Allen Onyema, previously explained that the airline initially wanted to operate from Heathrow but accepted Gatwick after failing to secure its preferred airport.
The airline has since become an important Nigerian competitor on the London route.
2. Omni-Blu Aviation and Enugu Air: Lagos to London Gatwick
The second Nigerian operation involves Omni-Blu Aviation and Enugu Air.
Under their partnership, Omni-Blu will operate the Lagos–London Gatwick route on behalf of Enugu Air.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority granted the company permission for four weekly flights, with operations scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026.
Unlike Air Peace, the new operation will use an aircraft supplied through a wet lease with EuroAtlantic Airways.
This means EuroAtlantic provides the aircraft and operational services under the leasing arrangement.
The approval is significant for Enugu Air because it creates an opportunity to enter the international market barely months after the airline began expanding beyond domestic operations.
Which UK airlines compete with Nigerian carriers?
Two major British airlines dominate the scheduled UK side of the Nigeria–London market.
British Airways: The airline operates services between London Heathrow and Lagos, as well as Abuja. It accounts for 14 weekly frequencies under the current BASA arrangement.
Virgin Atlantic: The airline also operates between London Heathrow and Lagos. Its allocation stands at seven weekly frequencies.
Together, the two British airlines account for 21 weekly frequencies, compared with Nigeria’s 13 before the latest approval.
Omni-Blu’s four additional frequencies will increase Nigeria’s allocation to 17, leaving a difference of four weekly flights.
What is Nigeria’s BASA agreement with the UK?
The Bilateral Air Services Agreement is an arrangement between two countries that establishes the framework for their airlines to operate international routes.
It covers issues such as designated airlines, permitted routes and flight frequencies.
Nigeria and the UK have used the agreement to regulate air connectivity between both countries.
Under the existing arrangement, each country can designate up to three airlines. However, designation alone does not automatically guarantee operational approval, aircraft authorisation or airport slots.
For Nigerian carriers, securing these requirements remains important to expanding their presence in the UK market.
The latest Omni-Blu approval therefore represents another step in Nigeria’s effort to increase its share of the London aviation market.