Air Peace has achieved a major milestone in Nigerian aviation by operating a direct São Paulo–Lagos flight. The flight carried members of Nigeria’s official delegation and private-sector leaders from Brazil to Lagos, signaling a new chapter in the country’s global connectivity.
The development follows a historic aviation agreement signed in Brasília, witnessed by President Bola Tinubu. On Wednesday, the Presidency shared a photo of the agreement statement and a video of the Minister of Aviation addressing the inaugural flight on its official X handle, underscoring the significance of the achievement.
According to the Presidency, the flight demonstrates that “Nigerian carriers can compete on global routes, and that Nigeria’s partnerships deliver immediate, tangible results.” Under the new agreement, Air Peace and Cavertin will commence passenger and cargo services, respectively, on the Lagos–São Paulo route by the last quarter of 2025.
The demonstration flight signals Nigeria’s readiness to operationalise the corridor, showcasing the capability of Nigerian private enterprises to turn government agreements into real action.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, highlighted the importance of the direct flights. “A journey that previously took nearly 20 hours through Europe or the Middle East will now be significantly shortened with direct flights operated by Air Peace,” he said.
Keyamo also disclosed that Air Peace has ordered 21 Embraer jets from Brazil, further solidifying aviation and trade ties between both nations.
Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, commended President Tinubu and government officials for facilitating the milestone. “The President has opened the door of the future for Nigeria. Instead of committing two days to travel to Brazil, we now have direct access to South America’s largest economy, just as Nigeria leads in Africa. We need each other, and this partnership will bring immense opportunities,” Onyema stated.
The Lagos–São Paulo route is expected to boost trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil. It is also a key part of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at opening new markets, strengthening South–South cooperation, and creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses and travellers.
