Air Peace has strongly denied allegations by SaharaReporters that it deceived the flying public over a proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight, describing the report as “malicious, misleading and dishonest,” and insisting that no flight was ever launched, sold or scheduled.
In a detailed statement issued by its management and seen by ARISE News on Friday, the airline said the report relied on unnamed and unverifiable sources to falsely claim that the proposed route was a scam allegedly orchestrated in collaboration with the Federal Government.
“The allegation of a ‘scam’ is false, sensational and dishonest,” Air Peace 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.”
The airline explained that the controversy arose from a fundamental misrepresentation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and Brazil, stressing that an MoU does not amount to a flight launch or guarantee the immediate commencement of operations.
“An MoU is a statement of intent between governments to deepen bilateral cooperation,” the airline stated. “It is neither a ticket sale nor a flight schedule, and it does not constitute a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations.”
Air Peace emphasised that no Nigerian passenger was stranded, as 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,” the statement said. “What exists here is self-imposed expectation, not deception.”
Addressing operational realities, the airline noted that international long-haul routes require extensive regulatory and technical approvals that cannot be bypassed by publicity or political goodwill. These processes include the implementation of Bilateral Air Services Agreements, approvals from Brazil’s civil aviation authority (ANAC), slot allocations at São Paulo airports, safety and insurance clearances, ETOPS certification, aircraft deployment planning and route economic evaluations.
On fleet capacity, Air Peace said it possesses the equipment required to operate the route, with four Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 aircraft in its fleet. According to the airline, two of the aircraft are currently deployed on its London Heathrow and London Gatwick services, while the remaining two are available for other long-haul routes, including São Paulo, once all regulatory and commercial processes are completed.
“Until these requirements are fully met, no responsible airline would announce ticket sales or commence operations,” it said.
The airline further clarified that it never made any binding commercial commitment to a fixed start date for the Lagos–São Paulo service, warning against interpreting expressions of optimism as guarantees.
“Airlines routinely study and prepare international routes for extended periods before launch,” Air Peace said, noting that its London operations took approximately seven years from conception to execution.
Responding to claims that the airline was responsible for the high cost of international connecting flights, Air Peace dismissed the assertion as baseless, stating that it does not control foreign airlines or global pricing structures.
“The existence of an MoU does not, and cannot, automatically reduce international airfares,” the airline said.
Air Peace also accused vested interests within Nigeria of sponsoring what it described as a sustained smear campaign against both the airline and the Federal Government, characterising the SaharaReporters publication as “a deliberate act of blackmail.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, 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,” the statement said.
The airline disclosed that preparations for the Lagos–São Paulo route began as far back as last year, with engagements involving Nigerian authorities, cooperation with the Brazilian government and consultations with stakeholders in Brazil.
“All required processes must be fully concluded before the commencement of flights,” it said. “Aviation is not a cut-and-paste business, and the safety of passengers, crew and equipment remains a sine qua non.”
Air Peace condemned what it described as attempts to undermine a Nigerian business through falsehoods and media manipulation in pursuit of competitive advantage.
“It is unacceptable for individuals or groups to attempt to destroy a Nigerian airline through misinformation,” the statement added.
The airline also accused SaharaReporters of a pattern of what it termed “agitational storytelling,” including turning diplomacy into alleged fraud, rebranding due process as stranding, substituting verifiable facts with anonymous emotion, and ignoring aviation realities to manufacture outrage.
“This approach is not journalism,” Air Peace said. “It is agitational storytelling.”
Summarising its position, the airline stressed: “No flight was sold. No Nigerian was abandoned. No scam occurred. An MoU is not a boarding pass.”
Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that the Lagos–São Paulo route would be formally announced once all regulatory and commercial conditions are satisfied.
“Until then,” the airline said, “Nigerians deserve facts, not fear-mongering headlines.”
Boluwatife Enome
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