11 August 2026

Air Canada Plans Lagos Service for 2027 Under Expanded Nigeria–Canada Agreement

Air Canada intends to introduce scheduled service to Lagos in 2027 after Nigeria and Canada expanded their bilateral air transport agreement to permit direct passenger services and wider cargo access.

Nigerian and Canadian officials pose for a group photograph beside the countries’ flags at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja. — Nigerian and Canadian officials at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, following the technical review and signing of the Agreed Minutes for the expanded bilateral Air Transport Agreement. © Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK)

Why this article matters
With multiple airline designation and capacity for 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights per country, the revised agreement changes the operating framework between Nigeria and Canada. Fifth-freedom cargo rights provide additional flexibility for freight services beyond the bilateral market.

Air Canada has already stated its intention to serve Lagos in 2027, but the proposed operation still requires government approval. Schedules and aircraft have not been announced, making the distinction between an intended service and a confirmed route important.

Of Interest
- Air Canada intends to introduce scheduled service to Lagos in 2027.
- The airline has started the process of obtaining the required government approvals.
- Nigeria and Canada may each designate multiple airlines under the expanded agreement.
- Airlines from each country may operate up to 14 passenger flights per week.
- Each side also receives capacity for 10 weekly all-cargo flights.
- All-cargo operators receive fifth-freedom traffic rights.
- The Nigerian Government described the previous framework as a code-share-only arrangement.
- More than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of 31 March 2026.

Air Canada intends to introduce scheduled service to Lagos in 2027 following an expansion of the air transport agreement between Nigeria and Canada. The airline has started the process of obtaining the government approvals required to operate commercial flights to Nigeria. Under the revised bilateral framework, Nigeria and Canada may each designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled services between the two countries. Airlines designated by each side will be permitted to operate up to 14 passenger flights and 10 all-cargo flights per week.

Cargo operators will also receive fifth-freedom traffic rights, allowing an airline to carry freight between two foreign countries when the service originates or terminates in its home country.

Terms for the expansion were agreed during a Nigeria–Canada Air Transport Expansion Technical Review working session and recorded in Agreed Minutes signed at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja. The discussions involved officials from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, as well as representatives of Global Affairs Canada and Transport Canada.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was represented at the signing by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at the ministry. The Canadian delegation was led by Shendra Melia, Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs Canada.

Mary-Jane Lorette, Air Canada’s Vice-President of Revenue Management, Partnerships and International Affairs, confirmed that the airline was working towards the proposed Lagos service.

“We welcome this expanded Air Transport Agreement and look forward to obtaining the necessary government approvals to begin service to Lagos,” she said.

More than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of 31 March 2026, according to the Nigerian Government’s statement. Education, business travel, tourism and family visits are among the passenger markets expected to benefit from expanded air services between the two countries.

According to the Nigerian statement, the original air transport agreement was negotiated in 2014 as a code-share-only arrangement and formally signed in March 2025. The latest changes are the first major expansion of that framework and, for the first time, provide for direct scheduled passenger services.

Air Canada has not yet announced the schedule or aircraft planned for the Lagos service. The proposed operation remains subject to government approval and completion of the applicable processes for operating in Nigeria.