The Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State, is set to welcome its first international flights this summer, with Air Peace announcing plans to operate direct services from the new aviation hub to London.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed this during an interview with journalists after inspecting the airport facilities alongside Governor Dapo Abiodun. The visit followed the official commissioning of the airport by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Onyema said Air Peace will operate flights connecting the airport to both London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, marking a significant milestone for Ogun State’s aviation sector.
“This is one of the best-equipped airports in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Air Peace will not sit back and watch this facility go unused,” Onyema said. “When you see a promising initiative, you must embrace it.”
He noted that the airport’s 4-kilometre runway can accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, and Air Peace plans to deploy its Boeing 777 fleet for the London route. Onyema also revealed that he had received approval from the Minister of Aviation to proceed with the operations, describing the project as a national asset.
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, announced plans to further expand the airport’s ecosystem with the construction of an international conference and convention centre, alongside a 550-room five-star hotel. He said the development would position Ogun State as a hub for global business and tourism.
The governor also disclosed that cargo operations have already commenced with Allied Air, while Ethiopian Airlines is expected to begin operations soon. He projected that approximately 50 cargo flights would operate through the airport between April and the end of the year.
Abiodun further revealed the establishment of Gateway Airlines, which has acquired two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The 90-seater planes are expected to enhance connectivity between Ogun State, Abuja, and other major Nigerian cities.
With these developments, the governor expressed confidence that the Gateway International Airport could soon become Nigeria’s third busiest aviation hub, after Lagos and Abuja.
