Air Canada to begin Lagos routes in 2027

Air Canada has officially commenced the regulatory process to establish its inaugural direct, scheduled flights to Lagos, Nigeria, with a target launch window set for 2027. This strategic initiative follows the landmark signing of an expanded Bilateral Air Transport Agreement (BASA) between the Government of Canada and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja on August 6, 2026.The newly negotiated framework enhances a restrictive 2014 agreement that previously confined cooperation solely to codeshare services via intermediate third-country hubs.Air Canada is diligently collaborating with aviation authorities in both nations to obtain standard foreign operator permits, safety certifications, and slot allocations prior to the formal publication of commercial schedules. Specific flight frequencies, precise departure hubs (such as Toronto Pearson or Montréal-Trudeau), ticketing timelines, and aircraft types (typically long-haul widebodies like the Boeing 777 or 787 Dreamliner) will be disclosed in due course once the necessary clearances navigate through the regulatory process.The route aims to meet a high-volume demand corridor fueled by the rapid growth of the Nigerian diaspora in Canada, which includes over 25,000 Nigerian students holding valid Canadian study permits.Currently, passengers traveling from Nigeria to Canada by air must utilize international airlines that involve a layover in Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.