Evacuation of stranded Nigerians in UK delayed after Air Peace is denied Heathrow landing rights

PLANS to evacuate hundreds of Nigerians stranded in the UK over the weekend have had to be cancelled and postponed until later on in the week after British aviation authorities denied Air Peace landing rights at Heathrow Airport.

Like every other nation, Nigeria has been evacuating its citizens worldwide as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and local carrier Air Peace has emerged as the operator carrying out the airlifts. Among the countries Air Peace has evacuated Nigerians from include China, Malaysia, Thailand, Israel, India and Dubai.

Over the weekend, another major airlift was planned in the UK but this has now been postponed until tomorrow Tuesday July 14 after Air Peace was refused landing rights. According to the Nigerian High Commission in London, the evacuation flights from London Heathrow to Abuja and Lagos will still take place but are just delayed.

A high commission spokesman said: “This is to inform all prospective evacuees that have been issued tickets for the Air Peace flights departing on July 13, 2020, from London Heathrow to Abuja and Lagos, that due to landing clearance issues, the flights have been rescheduled to depart on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 10am from Gatwick Airport. Furthermore, Air Peace has contracted Air Partner to operate the flight on its behalf and any other information will be communicated directly to the passengers.

“In light of the foregoing, the mission wishes to extend its appreciation to the chairman and management of Air Peace for ensuring that our stranded nationals in the United Kingdom return home safely.”