Gatwick Airport Refutes Air Peace Claims of Slot Allocation Delays

Gatwick Airport has denied allegations made by Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, that the airport is intentionally delaying the allocation of slots for the airline's Lagos-London route operations between October and December 2024. Onyema had claimed that Gatwick's delay was part of "dirty tricks" being played on Air Peace to hinder its plans on the route.

Why this matters: The resolution of this dispute has significant implications for the growth of Air Peace and the development of air travel connectivity between Nigeria and the UK. Furthermore, a fair and transparentslot allocation process is crucial for maintaining trust and cooperation among airlines, airports, and regulatory bodies in the global aviation industry.

In an email response to BusinessDay, Rebecca Byng, London Gatwick's media relations manager, firmly refuted Onyema's claims. "Winter slots have not yet been allocated to any airline, so I can assure you that is not the case," Byng stated. She further clarified that the Winter 2024-25 schedule has yet to be coordinated by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), the independent body responsible for allocating slots at London Gatwick.

The slot allocation process for the Winter 2024 season is currently underway, with airlines invited to submit their initial requests to ACL by Thursday, May 9, 2024. ACL, the world's leading and largest airport slot coordinator, works with 72 airports globally to manage slot allocations in a fair and transparent manner.

Byng emphasized that Gatwick Airport is looking forward to welcoming Air Peace to London Gatwick and collaborating with the airline to positively impact travel and trade on the important London to Lagos long-haul route. The airport remains committed to supporting Air Peace's operations and ensuring a smooth entry into the market.

Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline by fleet size, has been expanding its international operations in recent years. The airline commenced flights to Dubai in 2019 and has since added Johannesburg, South Africa, to its network. The planned Lagos-London route is seen as a significant step in Air Peace's growth strategy and its efforts to enhance connectivity between Nigeria and key global destinations.

As the Winter 2024 slot allocation process continues, Gatwick Airport has made it clear that no airline has been granted slots yet, and the process is being conducted fairly by ACL. The airport looks forward to a positive collaboration with Air Peace on the Lagos-London route, which is expected to benefit both travel and trade between the twocountries.

Key Takeaways

• Gatwick Airport denies allegations of intentionally delaying slot allocation for Air Peace's Lagos-London route.
• Slot allocation for Winter 2024-25 has not yet been coordinated by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL).
• Airlines can submit initial slot requests to ACL by May 9, 2024, for Winter 2024 season.
• Gatwick Airport is committed to supporting Air Peace's operations and ensuring a smooth market entry.
• Air Peace's Lagos-London route is a significant step in the airline's growth strategy and enhancing Nigeria-UK connectivity.