Air Peace Launches Historic Lagos-Barbados Flight, Deepens Africa-Caribbean Ties

The Government of Barbados, with the support of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), formally welcomed Air Peace at a high-level forum and media launch held at the Indigo Hotel in Barbados, following the airline’s inaugural commercial flight from Lagos to Barbados on May 24, 2026.

The forum brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, tourism executives, airline delegates, members of the media and key stakeholders, reflecting growing institutional support for enhanced connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were The Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport; Senator The Hon. Shane Archer, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Youth and Culture; Ambassador David Commissiong, Ambassador to CARICOM; Her Excellency Juliet Sutherland-Bynoe, High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia; Xiomara Pérez, Ambassador-Designate of the Embassy of Panama; Martha Ortega Peraza, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Venezuela; Acting Chief Operating Officer of Afreximbank, Mr. Okechukwu Ihejirika; Consultant Shelly Williams; Chairman of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Peter Harris; Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Andrea Franklin; and Chief Executive Officer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Neil Clark, alongside other airline and travel stakeholders and members of the press.

The engagement marked a major milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen commercial, tourism and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean through direct air connectivity.

The launch also follows Air Peace’s confirmation of scheduled operations between Lagos and Barbados twice monthly, operating on the last two Mondays of every month.

Delivering remarks at the event, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, The Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, described the launch of direct air service between Lagos and Barbados as a landmark occasion for Barbados, for the Caribbean and for deepening relations between the region and the African continent.

He noted that the new route represents the most tangible expression yet of the strategic relationship both regions have sought to strengthen over time, adding that direct connectivity from Lagos to Barbados would further position Barbados as a gateway into the Caribbean.

“When Air Peace flies into Barbados, it does so carrying the weight of a relationship that both regions have been working toward,” the Minister stated.

Reaffirming Barbados’ commitment to the partnership, Gooding-Edghill assured the airline of the government’s active support in ensuring the sustainability and long-term success of the service.

“We have no intention of being passive beneficiaries of your investment,” he said. “We will work through our trade and investment bodies, tourism agencies, private sector and diplomatic channels to stimulate demand and ensure favourable conditions exist for this route to succeed.”

He further expressed optimism that the service would expand beyond its inaugural year and become a model for mutually beneficial cooperation between Caribbean states and African carriers.

Also speaking at the forum, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Afreximbank, Mr Okechukwu Ihejirika, reiterated the institution’s commitment to initiatives that advance trade, investment and connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, including Air Peace’s commercial operations between Lagos and Barbados.

He emphasised the strategic importance of sustainable air transport links in achieving deeper regional integration and economic cooperation.

In his vote of thanks, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace Limited, Mr Nowel Ngala, described the successful launch as the culmination of years of collaborative effort aimed at bridging Africa and the Caribbean through direct air travel.

“Today marks the end of the long road to making this airlift connection possible, and the beginning of a new journey that has now been created,” Ngala said.

“It symbolises stronger ties between Africa and the Caribbean and opens new opportunities for tourism, trade and the travelling public.”

He expressed appreciation to the Government of Barbados, Afreximbank, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., diplomatic representatives and all stakeholders whose support contributed to the successful commencement of operations.

Ngala also acknowledged the leadership of Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, for driving the airline’s vision of expanding African connectivity beyond the continent. He reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to promoting seamless travel, economic exchange and stronger people-to-people relations between Africa and the Caribbean through sustained air connectivity.

The forum concluded with renewed commitments from both Barbadian and African stakeholders to deepen collaboration and explore additional opportunities to strengthen long-term relations across tourism, trade, culture, and aviation.

Wole Shadare