The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed the development after an inspection of the facility alongside Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. The visit came shortly after the airport’s official inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Onyema, the airline is preparing to operate international services linking the airport to both London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, a move expected to significantly elevate Ogun State’s position within Nigeria’s aviation network.
He described the newly built facility as a high-standard aviation hub, noting that its infrastructure ranks among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa. Central to its appeal is a 4-kilometre runway designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380. For the London operations, however, Air Peace plans to deploy its Boeing 777 fleet.
Onyema added that the airline has secured the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Aviation, positioning the initiative as a national project with broader economic implications beyond Ogun State.
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, outlined an ambitious vision to transform the airport into a fully integrated aerotropolis. Plans are in place to develop an international conference and convention centre, alongside a 550-room five-star hotel, aimed at attracting global business and tourism traffic.
Cargo operations are already gaining momentum. The governor confirmed that Allied Air has commenced freight services, while Ethiopian Airlines is expected to begin operations soon. He also hinted at the entry of an additional European cargo carrier, further strengthening the airport’s logistics profile.
Abiodun projected that the airport could handle around 50 cargo flights between April and year-end, signalling strong early activity and commercial interest.
In parallel, the state is advancing regional connectivity through a new carrier, Gateway Airlines, which has acquired two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The 90-seater jets are expected to operate domestic routes linking Ogun State with Abuja and other key destinations.
With passenger and cargo operations scaling up, the Ogun State government believes Gateway International Airport is on track to emerge as Nigeria’s third busiest aviation hub, after Lagos and Abuja, marking a significant shift in the country’s air transport landscape.