Arik Air to begin flights between Lagos and Sao Paulo by year end

Now travel between Nigeria and Brazil is going to be far more and easier. Travelers from either of the countries would now be spared of the usual drudge as direct air links between the two nations are going to be restored by the end of 2013. Arik Air has announced it is planning to launch its flights services from Lagos to Sao Paulo by the end of this year.

This has become possible after Nigeria and Brazil signed a bilateral agreement recently seeking to resume direct air links on this route, which was last served by Varig nearly 20 years ago. Until the restoration of the service, the passengers would as usual continue to make a circuitous journey via Europe or South Africa.

Arik Air is yet to announce the details about its new service such as flight schedule and frequencies. Ado Sanusi, Deputy MD of Airk Air, however said that a daily service to Sao Paulo would be indeed “ideal”. He also said that the airline may additionally consider launching flights on new routes to Recife and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

As part of the reciprocal agreement, Brazil’s Gol will be launching three weekly flights to Lagos from Recife by this year end. Sanusi said that though Nigeria has already provided Gol with the necessary regulatory approvals and landing rights for commencing the services between Lagos and Recife, Arik Air is however still waiting to receive the landing slots at Sao Paulo International Airport.