Air Peace Denies Collusion Claims Over Delayed Lagos–São Paulo Flight

Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has dismissed allegations that it colluded with the Federal Government to mislead the public over the proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight, describing the claims as false and deliberately misleading.

The allegations emerged following reports that Nigerians residing in Brazil accused both the Bola Tinubu administration and Air Peace of deceiving the public with what they described as an unfulfilled promise to commence direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.

According to the report, the complainants cited the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and Brazil in August 2025, arguing that the absence of a direct flight months later amounted to deception.

However, Air Peace firmly rejected the allegations, insisting that neither the airline nor the Federal Government misled Nigerians. In a statement issued by the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, Air Peace said it remains actively engaged with Nigerian authorities, the Brazilian government, and key aviation stakeholders to ensure the successful launch of the route once all requirements are met.

 

“The allegation of a scam is false, sensational and dishonest,” the statement said. “At no time did Air Peace or the Federal Government of Nigeria defraud Nigerians in Brazil or elsewhere regarding the Lagos–São Paulo route.”

Air Peace stressed that an MoU does not equate to the immediate commencement of flight operations.

“A Memorandum of Understanding is a statement of intent between governments to deepen bilateral cooperation. It is not a flight launch, nor does it constitute ticket sales, a flight schedule or a guarantee of immediate operations,” the airline said.

The carrier further clarified that no Nigerian passenger was stranded, as no tickets were sold, no booking platforms were opened, and no flight date was announced.

“It is therefore illogical to claim that passengers were stranded by a flight that was never placed on sale. What exists here is self-imposed expectation, not deception,” the statement added.

Air Peace explained that launching an international long-haul route requires extensive regulatory and operational clearances that cannot be expedited by public announcements or political goodwill alone.

These processes include the implementation of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) frameworks, approvals from Brazil’s civil aviation authority ANAC, airport slot allocations in São Paulo, safety and insurance clearances, ETOPS certification, and detailed aircraft deployment and route viability assessments.

Addressing concerns over fleet capacity, the airline said it possesses the necessary aircraft to operate the route.

Air Peace currently has four Boeing 777-200/300 aircraft, with two deployed on its London Heathrow and London Gatwick routes, while the remaining two are available for deployment to other long-haul destinations, including São Paulo, once all regulatory and commercial conditions are satisfied.

“Until these requirements are fully met, no responsible airline would announce ticket sales or commence operations,” the statement said, noting that Air Peace never made a binding commitment to a specific launch date.

The airline also cited its London route as an example, noting that the operation took nearly seven years from conception to execution.

“Statements of intention or optimism must not be misrepresented as guarantees,” Air Peace added.