Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking what he described as a “decisive and strategic step” by signing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil.
The BASA agreement, recently signed by both countries, allows for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil — a move that has been widely celebrated in the aviation sector.
Speaking on the sidelines of the agreement signing, Onyema said the deal was long overdue and would bring huge benefits to Nigeria, both economically and culturally.
“For the aviation industry, we must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking decisive steps that are truly advantageous for Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.
He noted that Brazil and Nigeria are the largest nations in South America and Africa, respectively, yet they lacked direct flight connectivity for decades — something he described as “an aberration.”
According to Onyema, the new air route will open doors for trade, tourism, and employment, and also strengthen the relationship between both countries.
“This agreement will unlock new opportunities, create thousands of jobs, and deepen cultural and economic ties,” he said.
He added that the improved air access would not only benefit big businesses but also create room for people-to-people interaction, which he believes is vital for national development.
Onyema also announced that Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, is ready to begin operations on the Nigeria-Brazil route.
To show its seriousness and commitment, he revealed that the airline came to Brazil with a Boeing 777 aircraft, which is one of the largest and most reliable aircraft models in the world.
“We came here with a Boeing 777 aircraft to demonstrate our commitment and to show Mr. President that we are prepared to serve this route and strengthen the bridge between our two nations,” Onyema said.
He assured Nigerians that Air Peace is capable of operating the route efficiently, offering both quality service and promoting Nigeria’s aviation image globally.
The Federal Government has signed several BASAs over the years, but implementation has often been slow. Onyema’s remarks suggest that this deal may see quicker execution, especially with private sector involvement.
As Nigeria looks to improve foreign investment, trade, and tourism, many believe that strengthening international air links like this one with Brazil could play a major role in achieving those goals.
