Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema has announced that the airline will commence direct flights from Lagos to São Paulo by late November.
He stated this in Brasília on Tuesday, following the signing of a bilateral aviation deal during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.
The Bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Filhos.
The agreement was jointly supervised by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“Yeah, we are looking forward to starting operations towards the last week of November to December this year,” Mr Onyema declared.
Mr Onyema described the deal as a major leap for Nigeria’s aviation sector and praised Mr Tinubu for making it possible.
“Well, it is a milestone. President Bola Tinubu’s shuttles abroad have started paying dividends for the good of our nation. Today, the Bilateral Air Services Agreement has been signed between both countries, Brazil and Nigeria.
“I’m sure you heard when President Lula of Brazil said that Nigeria’s largest carrier, Airbus, has been designated to implement this BASA by running flight operations into and out of Brazil to Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that the Lagos–Brazil air corridor is long overdue and filled with untapped opportunities.
“This is a milestone in the sense that the connectivity is something long overdue, and our dear president has made it possible for this to come into fruition. It will open up both economies. The Brazilian economy is the largest in Latin America; the Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa. So, both countries are very rich in human and natural resources,” he added.
He stated that the airline plans to begin with three weekly flights and gradually scale up, depending on demand and logistics.
“We cannot start daily flights for now, but we will start with three weekly flights. That’s three flights a week for the time being. But as we go on, we develop the route, and we can increase the frequency.
“We told the Brazilians that we want to do Lagos, Rio, São Paulo and back to Lagos like that. That’s taking people going to both cities and dropping people in both cities before coming back to Nigeria,” he stated.
The Brazilian president, at the signing ceremony on Monday, said the BASA would significantly enhance diplomatic and economic relations.
“Increasing the direct connections between Nigeria and Brazil is another essential step to strengthen the ties between our societies.
“We have approved the launch of a direct flight, to be operated by Nigeria’s largest airline company, Air Peace, between Lagos and São Paulo,” he said.
Mr Tinubu also expressed optimism that the deal would deepen economic activities and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
(NAN)
