NANTA Champions Air Peace as Nigeria’s Gateway to London and Beyond
In a momentous show of unity and ambition for Africa’s aviation sector, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has thrown its considerable weight behind Air Peace following the airline’s landmark launch of flights to London-Heathrow. This event is more than just a new route; it represents a major stride for Nigerian aviation, highlighting the role of local carriers in connecting Africa directly to key global markets.
Tuesday’s official unveiling in Abuja underscored the close alliance between Nigeria’s leading travel industry body and the country’s largest privately-owned airline. With NANTA’s delegation present in full regalia—donning uniforms proudly emblazoned with the Air Peace logo and adorned in Nigeria’s iconic green and white—the event radiated national pride and a collective sense of ownership in the journey ahead.
Leading the NANTA team, former president Mrs. Susan Akporiaye articulated the association’s unwavering commitment to Air Peace’s success. “We’ve always seen Air Peace as our own airline, and we’ll keep pushing its tickets and brand across our network of over 4,000 members,” she said. This declaration, delivered as NANTA members celebrated with a special cake-cutting alongside airline clients and friends, signals the depth of the partnership between Nigeria’s travel sector and its flagship carrier.
The significance of NANTA’s endorsement extends well beyond symbolic gestures. As the largest travel trade association in West Africa, NANTA possesses significant marketing power and reach, shaping travel trends and consumer preferences across the region. The association’s backing ensures that Air Peace’s new London route will enjoy robust promotional support, tapping into a vast marketplace eager for direct, reliable air links to Europe.
NANTA’s current president, Mr. Yinka Folami, amplified the message, making it clear that the association’s vision for Air Peace goes far beyond ticket sales. “NANTA is set to do great things with Air Peace,” he proclaimed, challenging the sector to think big about the possibilities of homegrown aviation. He called on Nigerians everywhere to unite in support of their national carrier as it enters the fiercely competitive global aviation sector.
This partnership comes at a strategic time for Nigeria and the wider African air travel industry. The launch of Air Peace’s London-Heathrow service not only enhances the country’s international connectivity but also positions Nigerian aviation as an emerging force on the global stage. For years, African travelers have relied heavily on foreign carriers for direct access to Europe’s busiest airports. The arrival of a Nigerian airline at one of the world’s premier aviation hubs signals a turning point and sets a precedent for other African carriers to pursue similar ambitions.
For the continent’s travel sector, this development opens a new chapter. African travel professionals are now better placed to design and market tailor-made itineraries that highlight not only business and leisure travel but also Nigeria’s rich tapestry of cultural and sports tourism. NANTA’s leadership has already pledged to work with Air Peace to develop innovative travel packages, leveraging the new route to boost inbound tourism and showcase Nigeria’s unique attractions to the world.
Such initiatives are vital as Africa’s tourism and aviation industries seek to recover and grow in the post-pandemic era. Direct routes like London-Heathrow remove barriers for travelers, reduce journey times, and enhance the appeal of African destinations to international markets. For business travelers, the new service offers unprecedented convenience and efficiency, while for leisure and diaspora travelers, it provides a direct line home—strengthening family ties and cultural connections.
The close collaboration between NANTA and Air Peace also reflects a broader shift in African aviation, where industry associations and local carriers work hand-in-hand to advance shared goals. By combining marketing expertise, strategic vision, and grassroots engagement, such partnerships are redefining how African airlines compete and thrive both regionally and internationally.
Looking ahead, the ripple effects of this new synergy are expected to be far-reaching. As Air Peace settles into its role on the London-Heathrow corridor, it is likely to inspire further route expansion, increased competition, and fresh investment in the sector. For African travel professionals, the message is clear: now is the time to innovate, collaborate, and stake a claim in the rapidly evolving global travel landscape.
The success of Air Peace’s London debut, with NANTA’s full support, also has the potential to galvanize other African countries and airlines to pursue direct links with major international gateways. By reducing reliance on foreign carriers and championing indigenous enterprise, Africa’s aviation and tourism sectors can capture greater value, foster job creation, and assert their place in the global marketplace.
In the words of NANTA’s leadership, “Air Peace is our own.” This sense of ownership, pride, and determination is precisely what is needed to propel African aviation into a new era—one where the continent’s carriers and travel industry professionals set their own course, shape their own stories, and connect Africa to the world on their own terms.
