Air Peace has marked a major milestone in Nigerian aviation by operating a direct São Paulo–Lagos flight, carrying members of Nigeria’s delegation and private-sector leaders from Brazil.
The flight follows a historic aviation agreement signed in Brasília, witnessed by President Bola Tinubu.
On Wednesday, a photo of the agreement statement and a video of the Minister of Aviation addressing the inaugural flight were shared on X by the official handle of the Presidency of Nigeria, further highlighting the milestone.
As reported by the Presidency, the flight demonstrates that ‘Nigerian carriers can compete on global routes, and that Nigeria’s partnerships deliver immediate, tangible results’.
Under the agreement, two Nigerian carriers, Air Peace and Cavertin, are set to commence passenger and cargo services, respectively, on the Lagos–São Paulo route in the last quarter of 2025.
The demonstration flight signals Nigeria’s readiness to operationalise the corridor and showcases the capability of Nigerian private enterprises to turn government agreements into real action.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, emphasised the significance of the direct flights, noting that ‘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 also disclosed that Air Peace has ordered 21 Embraer jets from Brazil, further strengthening aviation and trade ties between the two nations.
Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, praised Tinubu and government officials for facilitating the milestone, stating, ‘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’.
The Lagos–São Paulo route is expected to boost trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil.
It also forms a key part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at opening new markets, strengthening South–South cooperation, and creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses and travellers.
