Allen Onyema’s Air Peace launches Nigeria’s first direct route to Brazil

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s largest airlines, led by aviation magnate Allen Onyema, has inaugurated the first-ever direct flight connecting Lagos and São Paulo. The new route comes after a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Shorter travel, stronger ties

Before this direct service, passengers traveling between Nigeria and Brazil had to go through Europe or the Middle East, a journey that could take up to 20 hours.

The new flight cuts travel time significantly, offering smoother connections for passengers and creating new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

The milestone comes alongside Air Peace’s plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos. The facility is designed to reduce costly overseas maintenance, improve operational efficiency, and support the airline as it expands its network to serve more passengers.

The inaugural flight was operated with a Boeing 777, and Air Peace has placed an order for 21 Embraer jets from Brazil. These additions are expected to increase the airline’s capacity for international travel and further strengthen aviation ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

Voices on the milestone

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo called the new route “a major step forward” and said the BASA would promote economic integration, trade growth, and cultural exchange.

Allen Onyema thanked President Tinubu and the federal government, highlighting that the direct flight opens “immense opportunities for both nations” and positions Nigeria as an important gateway between Africa and South America.

President Lula da Silva described the partnership as a “turning point” and reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Air Peace’s growth and global reach

Founded in 2013 by Onyema, Air Peace operates a fleet of 32 aircraft, including Boeing 737s, 777s, and Embraer jets, with eight more on order, bringing the total to 40. The airline has become the largest in Nigeria and West Africa by fleet size and ranks sixth across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Air Peace serves 20 destinations, covering 19 cities in Nigeria and 11 cities across nine other countries, including the UK, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Benin, and Guinea. The Lagos–São Paulo route marks a new chapter for the airline, enhancing international connectivity and strengthening economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and South America.