By ITOHAN ABARA-LASERIAN

Air Peace has attributed its approval to operate scheduled flights from Nigeria into both London Gatwick and Heathrow Airports to backing of the UK Government.

The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Onyema said the achievement was remarkable because it had taken seven years for any Nigerian airline to secure such access.

He underscored the airline?s resilience and the support it has enjoyed from the United Kingdom.

He applauded the British Deputy High Commissioner for Lagos, Jonny Baxter, describing him as ?a diplomat par excellence?.

Onyema said Baxter?s unwavering commitment and fairness ensured that Air Peace received everything necessary to begin its operations into the United Kingdom.

?Jonny Baxter embodies the principle of live and let live. He gave us every support needed to commence our UK operations.

?It was due to his efforts and open-mindedness of the UK authorities that we can proudly say today that Air Peace?s problem is no longer the UK. The UK loves Air Peace, and Air Peace loves the UK in return,? Onyema stated.

Onyema noted that the invitation from the UK government for Air Peace to commence London Heathrow flights and Heathrow Airport?s plan to host a welcome party for the airline, came as a pleasant surprise.

According to him, the UK government even requested that we forward names of those attending so they could make the necessary arrangements.

?This shows the extent to which they have welcomed us, and we are profoundly grateful to the UK government, the Civil Aviation Authorities, and the people of the UK for the remarkable hospitality they have extended to Air Peace.?

On the reason for the commencement of Abuja to Gatwick and Heathrow, Onyema, said it was to ease traveling from Northern Nigeria to London and urged Abuja travellers to patronise Air Peace to London Heathrow.

He also called on government officials to demonstrate patriotism by flying Air Peace and other Nigerian carriers operating internationally

?Our airlines offer competitive fares and seamless service. Supporting them means strengthening Nigeria?s economy and projecting our national pride,? he concluded. (NAN)