Lagos to São Paulo in 7 Hours as Nigeria, Brazil Sign Pact for Direct Flights
…New route promises faster travel, stronger trade, and regional connectivity
Travellers can now fly directly from Lagos to São Paulo in just seven hours, following the launch of a historic Nigeria–Brazil air link.
The service, operated by Air Peace, eliminates the need for long layovers in Europe or the Middle East, a breakthrough hailed by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo as a game-changer for trade, tourism, and connectivity between Africa and South America.
Speaking at the inauguration of the travel pact in Lagos, Keyamo described the direct service as a landmark development with far-reaching economic benefits.
He said the air pact not only shortens travel time but also positions Nigeria as a key aviation hub for Central and West Africa, with passengers across the sub-region able to connect seamlessly to South America through Lagos.
“This arrangement marks a new beginning. The most critical aspect of all the agreements we signed is connectivity between both countries. What you are witnessing today is the first tangible fulfilment of that agreement – the maiden flight between Brazil and Nigeria. This is not just an audio agreement; it is real,” the minister said.
Before now, Nigerian travellers bound for Brazil had to route their journeys through Europe or the Middle East, often spending up to 20 hours or more in transit. “Now, all we did was to cross the Atlantic directly. That’s all,” Keyamo noted, adding that the initiative underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“All credit goes to Mr President. He sat down, worked this out, and we are here to implement it. This is only the beginning. Capacity will be ramped up, and scheduled flights will follow,” he said.
The minister further stressed that the significance of the route goes beyond bilateral relations. “From Brazil, you can connect to any part of South America and even the Caribbean. Before now, there was no direct link from Central and West Africa to Brazil. With this, the entire sub-region can now connect through Nigeria, boosting our economy significantly,” he explained.
Air Peace Chairman, Dr Allen Onyema, also highlighted the centrality of connectivity in the agreements between both nations. “Between Brazil and Nigeria, the flight is just seven hours, yet before now people spent two to eight days travelling through Europe or the Middle East. Without air connectivity, nothing works. Both governments agreed that Air Peace should do this, and both countries believe in Air Peace,” he said.
Onyema praised President Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for supporting the initiative, which he described as a demonstration of how Tinubu’s foreign engagements were producing tangible dividends.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian. Mr President has opened this route for us. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and Nigeria is the biggest in Africa – we need each other,” Onyema stated.
In addition, Onyema announced that Air Peace, in partnership with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, would establish a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos. The foundation for the facility is scheduled to be laid on 17 September, with completion expected within 12 to 15 months.
“We are strengthening our partnership with Embraer to build a maintenance hangar in Lagos. Once ready, the facility will make Nigeria a regional hub for Embraer aircraft maintenance,” Onyema said.
The new air link and planned MRO facility are expected to boost Nigeria’s aviation capacity, create jobs, and attract investments, cementing the country’s status as a strategic player in global air transport.
