Air Peace has officially launched a direct passenger service between Lagos and São Paulo, marking a historic milestone in aviation ties between Nigeria and Brazil. The move follows the signing of a bilateral air services agreement in Brasília, witnessed by President Bola Tinubu.
The inaugural flight carried members of Nigeria’s delegation alongside Brazilian business leaders, symbolizing the strengthening of trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.
In a statement shared on social media, the Nigerian presidency said the development showed that “Nigerian carriers can compete on global routes, and that Nigeria’s partnerships deliver immediate, tangible results.”
Under the agreement, Air Peace will operate passenger flights, while Cavertin Airlines is set to commence cargo services on the same corridor before the end of the year. This marks Nigeria’s first regular direct air connection with South America.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, described the service as transformative, noting that flights to Brazil previously required nearly 20 hours of travel with stopovers in Europe or the Middle East. “With direct flights now in place, travel time is cut significantly, giving Nigerian businesses and travellers easier access to South America’s largest economy,” he said.
Air Peace chairman Allen Onyema credited President Tinubu and government officials for facilitating the breakthrough. “Instead of committing two days to travel to Brazil, we now have direct access. This partnership opens immense opportunities for both countries,” Onyema said.
The Lagos–São Paulo route is expected to boost Nigerian exports, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, while encouraging more Brazilian investment in Africa’s largest economy. The airline has also confirmed an order of 21 Embraer jets from Brazil, a deal seen as deepening ties between the two nations’ aviation sectors.
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