*Embraer to provide technical and maintenance support
WorldStage Newsonline– The Chairman of Air Peace Ltd., Dr Allen Onyema, on Wednesday announced that the airline will start building a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos by September.
Onyema made the announcement on arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after a direct flight from Brazil facilitated by the airline.
According to him, the Lagos-based facility will cater for Embraer jets. The airline is acquiring 17 Embraer aircraft, with five already in the country.
He disclosed that the MRO centre would be ready within 12 to 15 months, with Embraer providing technical and maintenance support.
“We will begin the foundation on Sept. 17 here in Lagos. Within 12 to 15 months, the maintenance hangar will be operational,” Onyema said.
He explained that the facility would end dependence on foreign checks, adding that Nigeria would become a hub for regional maintenance, attracting other countries.
Onyema thanked President Bola Tinubu for removing obstacles to business growth, describing the support as crucial for creating a conducive investment environment.
He stressed the need for fair partnerships. “The kind of partnership we seek must be symbiotic, not parasitic or domineering,” he added.
Speaking on the Nigeria-Brazil Economic Partnership and Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), Onyema said both countries stood to gain enormous benefits.
“So both countries endorsed EPSI to implement BASA, because they believed we could achieve it. This will open up opportunities for both nations,” he noted.
Onyema highlighted Brazil’s cultural connections with Africa, especially Nigeria.
“Brazil has a huge African population. Many Brazilians of Yoruba descent still speak Yoruba, though they have never visited Nigeria,” he said.
He said Air Peace would not only serve Brazil, but also the wider South American continent.
“On Sept. 1, I will meet the Colombian vice president. They want Air Peace services too, based on our performance in the Caribbean,” he revealed.
Onyema recalled how Air Peace’s affordable fares on the London route forced international airlines to reduce prices, making travel more accessible for Nigerians.
He added that direct flights to Brazil would cut travel time from about 48 hours with multiple connections, to less than 10 hours.
“The Brazilians are eager to work with Nigeria. They are advanced in technology and other sectors, and ready to collaborate with us,” Onyema said.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, expressed excitement, stressing that direct connectivity would enhance relations and economic growth.
He said: “What you see today is the first maiden flight between Brazil and Nigeria. Many of us would otherwise have landed tomorrow or the next day.”
Keyamo praised President Tinubu for his support, stressing that the initiative would be scaled up with structured flight schedules.
He noted that the Air Peace route would connect Nigeria to South America and the Caribbean through Brazil, offering interline access across the continent.
“Previously, travellers had to route through Addis Ababa, Angola, or South Africa. Now, Central and West Africa are connected to Nigeria via Air Peace,” he said.
The Minister of Information, Mr Mohammed Idris, and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Mrs Hanatu Musawa, attended the event.
Also in attendance was Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
