Nigeria to begin direct flight from Lagos to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Agreement have been made for the Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace to begin a direct flight from Lagos to the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

According to the statement released by Presidential aide, revealing that the direct flight was one of agreements reached between Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian leader, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during at a joint conference on Monday.

Brazilian President said an agreement has been reached. “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.

Nigerian President who is on state visit to Brazil witnessed the sign of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen trade, diplomacy, science, aviation, and finance cooperation.

Tinubu praised President Lula’s commitment to revitalising the partnership between the two countries, noting that Nigeria’s economic space remains a virgin land, full of opportunities for Brazilian companies.
He acknowledged Embraer’s efforts in addressing the critical challenges of local airline operations in Nigeria, primarily through establishing a Service Centre to serve as a hub for subregion in essential repairs and maintenance of its ever-increasing fleet in Nigeria.

Nigerian President recalled his previous engagements in Brazil and emphasised the urgency of moving beyond symbolic ties to concrete economic cooperation.

“Honourable Ministers of both countries, members of the Brazil Business Group, I have listened carefully to my friend, President Lula. We had a lengthy discussion. We talked about history and about African and Brazilian heritage.
“We tried to see why we are not at the level we wanted. We have allowed some problems and activities in the past to deter us from making progress and fulfilling our promises. But today we say that is the end of that.

“This is my third visit to the country. First, the visit to attend the G20. Second, on climate change, BRICS. And today, an official and state visit was very emotional”, the President said.

Following a two-hour expanded bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements and MOUs at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filhos, signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to boost trade and people-to-people ties.