By Peter Omopo
Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has inaugurated a direct Lagos–São Paulo flight, marking a historic step in the nation’s aviation sector and strengthening ties with Brazil.
The milestone came on the heels of a bilateral aviation agreement signed in Brasília, witnessed by President Bola Tinubu. The pact paves the way for Nigerian airlines to operate passenger and cargo services on the South American route.
On Wednesday, the Presidency shared images of the signing and a video of the Aviation Minister addressing the inaugural flight, describing the development as proof that Nigerian carriers can “compete on global routes” and that “Nigeria’s partnerships deliver immediate, tangible results.”
Under the agreement, Air Peace will handle passenger flights, while Cavertin is expected to commence cargo operations later in 2025. The demonstration flight from São Paulo to Lagos, which carried government delegates and private-sector leaders, signals Nigeria’s readiness to fully operationalise the corridor.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the direct service would drastically cut travel time between the two countries. “A journey that previously took nearly 20 hours through Europe or the Middle East will now be significantly shortened with Air Peace’s direct flights,” he explained. He also noted that Air Peace has ordered 21 Embraer jets from Brazil, reinforcing trade and aviation partnerships.
Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, hailed the development as transformative. “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. This partnership will bring immense opportunities,” he said.
The Lagos–São Paulo route is projected to enhance trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil. It also aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand markets, deepen South–South cooperation, and create opportunities for Nigerian businesses and travellers.
