Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, has made history and is poised to open a gateway between the South American and West and Central African economies with direct flights to Brazil. The significant milestone was marked by the successful launch of the airline’s maiden Lagos–Brazil flight following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent diplomatic visit and meeting with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, thereby deepening economic, cultural, and social ties between the two nations.
During a Press Conference upon arrival of the inaugural flight at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Ikeja, Lagos on August 27, 2025, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), commended President Tinubu for his remarkable contributions to the sector and noted that the achievement of Air Peace was the first tangible fruit of the President’s diplomatic shuttle to Brazil.
Praising President Tinubu for empowering the aviation sector to deliver this milestone through Air Peace, Mr. Keyamo said, “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.”
He further highlighted that the direct flight service by Air Peace would simplify travel between Nigeria and Brazil, eliminating the need for long connections through Europe or the Middle East. By cutting the flight time to just seven (7) hours across the Atlantic, the new direct service is expected to unlock unprecedented opportunities in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. The Minister also emphasized that the service would facilitate onward connections across South America, providing direct access to Nigeria and indeed Africa, thereby boosting regional and economic integration.
Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to building a new Nigeria that offers greater opportunities for its youth. He stressed that the vision behind the airline’s expansion reflected not only partnership but also a symbiotic relationship built on respect and mutual growth.
“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,” Mr. Onyema noted. He added that, “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.”
The new Lagos–Brazil service will operate three (3) times weekly, with plans to scale up frequency in the near future. With this development, Air Peace positions Nigeria as the gateway for West and Central Africa into South America, while simultaneously giving Brazil onward access across the African continent.
With the restoration of air links between both countries after decades of suspension, Air Peace has taken center stage in a new chapter of Nigeria–Brazil relations and this milestone marks not only a breakthrough in aviation but also a powerful symbol of connectivity and enduring partnership between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s economic powerhouse. Through this milestone, Air Peace reaffirms its role not only as Nigeria’s leading carrier but also as a regional connector and a symbol of Africa’s growing presence on the global aviation stage.
