‘MoU is not a boarding pass’: Air Peace debunks Brazil route scam allegations

The Management of Air Peace has responded to what it called ‘a malicious and misleading report’ by an online medium, alleging that the airline, in collaboration with the Tinubu administration, deceived the flying public over the proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight.

The airline in a statement on Friday, termed the report as a ‘deliberate attempt to malign Air Peace and the Nigerian government, relies on unnamed and unverifiable sources who claim that “the entire arrangement was deceptive from the outset.”

To set the record straight and debunk the falsehoods contained in the report, the Management of Air Peace stated that the allegation of a ‘scam’ is false, sensational, and dishonest, adding that at no time did it or the Federal Government of Nigeria defraud Nigerians in Brazil or elsewhere regarding the Lagos–São Paulo route.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is not a flight launch, adding that MoU is a statement of intent between governments to deepen bilateral cooperation.

“It is neither a ticket sale nor a flight schedule, and it does not constitute a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations. In aviation practice, several mandatory processes must be concluded after an MoU before any flight can operate.

Read also: Air Peace refutes allegations of dumping passengers in Barbados

” No Nigerian was ‘stranded’ by Air Peace. No tickets were sold, no booking platform was 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.”

It explained that International long-haul operations require multiple regulatory and operational approvals that cannot be fast-tracked by publicity or political goodwill.

These include, but are not limited to: Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) implementation frameworks, approval from Brazil’s civil aviation authority (ANAC), slot allocations at São Paulo airports, safety, insurance, and ETOPS certifications and aircraft deployment planning and route economics

On the issue of capacity, Air Peace said it has the requisite equipment to operate the route.

The airline currently has four Boeing 777-200/300 aircraft in its fleet, two are deployed on the London Heathrow and London Gatwick routes, while the remaining two are on standby for deployment to other long-haul destinations, including São Paulo, upon completion of all regulatory and commercial processes.

“Until these requirements are fully met, no responsible airline would announce ticket sales or commence operations.”, it added.

According to the statement, Air Peace said it never made a binding commercial commitment to a fixed commencement date, adding that statements of intention or optimism must not be misrepresented as guarantees. Airlines routinely study and prepare international routes for extended periods before launch. By way of example, Air Peace’s London operations took approximately seven years from conception to execution.”

”Blaming Air Peace for the high cost of connecting international flights is baseless. Air Peace does not control foreign airlines or global pricing structures. The existence of an MoU does not, and cannot, automatically reduce international airfares.

”Air Peace considers this report a deliberate act of blackmail against the airline and the Federal Government of Nigeria, sponsored by vested interests within Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of the public, as of today, Air Peace remains the only airline in Nigeria and the West African sub-region with the capacity to undertake transoceanic flight operations using its own wide-body fleet. This reality explains the sustained smear campaign targeted at the airline and, by extension, the Nigerian government.”, it stated.

It explained that it commenced the processes toward the Lagos–São Paulo route as far back as last year, adding it has been engaging relevant Nigerian authorities, cooperating with the Brazilian government, and working with stakeholders in Brazil to bring the operation to fruition.

It added all required processes must be fully concluded before the commencement of flights.

”Aviation is not a cut-and-paste business, and the safety of passengers, crew, and equipment remains a sine qua non. It is unacceptable for individuals or groups to attempt to undermine a Nigerian business through falsehoods and media manipulation in the hope of gaining a competitive advantage—one that will never materialise.

” In Summary, no flight was sold, no Nigerian was abandoned, no scam occurred, an MoU is not a boarding pass.

“Air Peace remains committed to transparency and professionalism. When all regulatory and commercial conditions are satisfied, the Lagos–São Paulo route will be announced formally, as has been done with every other destination operated by the airline,” it stated.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.

She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.

She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.

As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.

She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.

Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category.

She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.

She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.

Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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