Air Peace has secured a major international milestone after receiving approval from ANAC, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, to operate scheduled air services to and from the South American country. The development marks another significant step in the airline’s global expansion strategy and opens the door for direct Nigeria-Brazil connectivity. Meanwhile, the carrier is also advancing plans for new routes to Toronto, New York, China, Jeddah and Manchester.
The approval was granted through ANAC Ordinance No. 19.449/2026, authorising Air Peace to operate regular passenger, cargo and mail services between Brazil and destinations across its network. Therefore, the Nigerian carrier is now positioned to become one of the few African airlines offering direct links between Nigeria and Brazil.
ANAC Approval Strengthens Air Peace Global Expansion
The ANAC authorisation comes as Air Peace accelerates efforts to expand its international footprint. Since last year, the airline has pursued landing permits from Canadian and United States aviation authorities for scheduled operations into Toronto and New York. In addition, plans to resume flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Guangzhou in China are nearing completion.
The airline has also finalised plans to launch three weekly services to Manchester in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, management continues to explore opportunities across Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. The latest ANAC approval is expected to strengthen these ambitions and reinforce the airline’s long-term growth strategy.
According to the airline, the Brazilian market presents significant opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange. A statement on the approval noted that the authorisation “paves the way for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil by a Nigerian airline.”
The direct service is expected to deliver substantial benefits to travellers. Currently, journeys between Nigeria and Brazil often require multiple stopovers and can take nearly two days. However, the planned direct flights could reduce travel time to approximately seven hours, creating a more convenient travel option for passengers.
Beyond passenger traffic, the ANAC approval is expected to boost cargo movement between both countries. Direct air links could support trade growth and improve access to markets across South America. Therefore, businesses involved in imports, exports and logistics stand to benefit from faster and more reliable transportation services.
Air Peace has continued to strengthen its international presence in recent years. Its network already includes London in the United Kingdom and Barbados in the Caribbean. The airline also serves several major West African cities, including Accra, Freetown, Dakar, Banjul, Monrovia and Abidjan.
In addition, the carrier recently announced the launch of new regional services to Libreville, Gabon; Conakry, Guinea; Bamako, Mali; and Douala, Cameroon. These routes are scheduled to commence on August 1 and are expected to further enhance connectivity across the continent. The ANAC approval adds another important destination to the airline’s growing portfolio.
Industry observers have long viewed direct Nigeria-Brazil connectivity as a missing link despite the strong historical, cultural and commercial ties between both nations. The new route is expected to stimulate investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges while deepening bilateral cooperation.
With the ANAC authorisation secured and additional strategic routes under development, Air Peace continues to advance its ambition of becoming Africa’s preferred airline. As preparations for Brazil, Toronto, New York, China and other destinations progress, the airline appears poised for another phase of international growth and increased global recognition.
