Air Peace Lagos São Paulo flight remains in process as airline rejects claims of deception and explains regulatory requirements

Nigerian airline Air Peace has rejected allegations that it colluded with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deceive Nigerians over a proposed direct Lagos–São Paulo route, insisting that preparations for the flight remain ongoing and legitimate.

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The airline made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, describing reports labelling the planned route a scam as misleading and based on a misunderstanding of international aviation procedures.

Air Peace said the reports failed to recognise that the August 2025 Memorandum of Understanding signed in Brasília was not a flight launch but a diplomatic framework witnessed by the presidents of Nigeria and Brazil to activate cooperation under existing air service agreements.

“At no time did Air Peace or the Federal Government of Nigeria defraud Nigerians in Brazil or elsewhere regarding the Lagos–São Paulo route,” the statement said, stressing that an MoU does not translate into immediate flight operations.

The airline explained that international long-haul routes require extensive regulatory and operational approvals, including authorisation under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, clearance from Brazil’s civil aviation authority, airport slot allocations, safety and insurance certifications, ETOPS approval, and route-economics planning.

Responding to claims that Nigerians were stranded, Air Peace said no tickets were sold, no booking platform was opened, and no flight date was announced for the route.

It described the controversy as arising from “self-imposed expectation, not deception.”

On fleet capacity, the airline said it has four Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft capable of operating the route.

Two aircraft are currently deployed on its London Heathrow and Gatwick services, while the remaining two are available for other long-haul destinations once approvals are completed.

Air Peace also dismissed claims that it influenced high international airfares, stating that it does not control foreign carriers or global pricing systems.

It added that the launch of its London service took nearly seven years from conception to execution, underscoring the complexity of international aviation operations.

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Describing the allegations as malicious, the airline said it viewed the report as an attempt to undermine a Nigerian business through media manipulation, warning against pressure tactics driven by vested interests.