Air Peace Breaks New Ground as Nigeria, Brazil Cement Ties with Historic Direct Flight
Nigeria and Brazil have taken a decisive step in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties as Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, launched its maiden direct Lagos–Brazil service, heralding a new era of connectivity between Africa’s most populous nation and South America’s economic giant.
The inaugural flight, which landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, was celebrated as more than an aviation milestone; it was described by leaders as a bridge linking two continents for deeper trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The significance of the breakthrough was first highlighted during a recent meeting between Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both leaders identified Air Peace as a key player in unlocking new opportunities and forging stronger economic, diplomatic, and social ties between the two countries.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), hailed President Tinubu’s strategic diplomacy, noting that the Lagos–Brazil route was a direct product of his renewed engagement with Brazil.
“What we are seeing today is the first fruit of the diplomatic shuttle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil. In his wisdom, the President has decided to reopen and expand our economic, diplomatic, and trade relations with Brazil. Brazil is the biggest economy in South America, and Nigeria is considered the biggest economy in Africa. Connecting these two economies was very key to both presidents,” Keyamo said.
He further stressed that the direct service will eliminate the inconvenience of transiting through Europe or the Middle East, cutting travel time across the Atlantic to just seven hours.
According to the Minister, the shorter route is expected to generate unprecedented opportunities for bilateral trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges. It will also strengthen Nigeria’s role as a continental gateway for South America.
Air Peace’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, described the new service as a bold statement of Nigeria’s readiness to embrace mutually beneficial partnerships. He commended President Tinubu’s vision for a new Nigeria built on respect, opportunity, and collaboration.
“The President is not seeking partnerships that will lord over us. He is seeking partnerships that are symbiotic in nature—not parasitic—partners who will respect our sovereignty and not bully us,” Onyema declared.
He added that the route was more than a commercial venture, but a bridge of connectivity that would tie Nigeria not only to Brazil but to the wider South American and Caribbean regions.
“This is not just a flight; it is a bridge. Connectivity is at the heart of true partnership. By opening this corridor, we are bringing Nigeria closer to Brazil and, by extension, to South America and the Caribbean. This is the beginning of long-lasting opportunities for both regions,” Onyema noted.
The Lagos–Brazil service will initially operate three times weekly, with plans for increased frequency as demand grows.
With this milestone, Air Peace has not only cemented its position as Nigeria’s flagship carrier but also reinforced its role as a regional connector and a proud symbol of Africa’s rising aviation profile on the global stage.
