Air Canada is taking steps towards launching scheduled flights to Lagos in 2027, as the airline moves to tap into the rapidly growing aviation market between Nigeria and Canada.
The Canadian flag carrier said it has commenced the process of securing the government approvals required to begin commercial operations in Nigeria following the expansion of the air transport agreement between both countries.
If approved, the planned route would create a direct scheduled passenger link between Canada and Nigeria, ending the current reliance on connecting flights through European, American and other international hubs.
Air Canada has yet to disclose the Canadian city from which the Lagos service would operate. Details such as flight frequency, aircraft type and whether the route would be seasonal or year-round are also yet to be announced.
Mary-Jane Lorette, Air Canada’s vice-president for revenue management, partnerships and international affairs, said the airline was looking forward to securing the necessary approvals.
“We welcome this expanded Air Transport Agreement and look forward to obtaining the necessary government approvals to begin service to Lagos, Nigeria in the coming year,” she said.
The development follows an expanded air transport agreement between Nigeria and Canada, which significantly increases the opportunities for airlines from both countries.
Under the new arrangement, designated airlines from each country can operate up to 14 scheduled passenger flights weekly. Airlines will also be permitted to operate up to 10 cargo flights per week.
The agreement further provides fifth-freedom rights for cargo services, allowing eligible airlines to transport freight between their home country, Nigeria or Canada, and certain third-country destinations.
The earlier Canada-Nigeria agreement, negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025, only provided for codeshare operations. The latest expansion introduces direct scheduled passenger services for the first time.
Growing Demand Between Nigeria And Canada
The planned Lagos route comes amid a significant increase in travel between the two countries.
Transport Canada said Nigeria was Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and the country’s third-largest bilateral aviation market in Africa, behind Morocco and Algeria.
Passenger traffic between Nigeria and Canada has more than doubled over the past decade, despite the absence of direct scheduled services.
The sizeable Nigerian community in Canada, as well as strong links in education and business, is expected to provide a significant passenger base for any direct route.
More than 25,000 Nigerians held Canadian study permits as of March 31, 2026, according to Transport Canada.
Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu also highlighted communities such as Brampton, which has a large Nigerian-Canadian population, as part of the reason for improving air connectivity.
Canada’s Transport Minister, Steven MacKinnon, said the expanded agreement would strengthen tourism and trade while making travel and business connections between the two countries easier.
For Air Canada, a Lagos route would also represent a further expansion of its presence in Africa.
The airline began serving the continent with its Montreal-Casablanca route in 2016 and has since continued to expand its international network.
Canada also signed an air transport agreement with Ghana and expanded its agreement with Senegal in 2025 as Ottawa seeks to strengthen commercial and economic ties with African countries.
However, Air Canada’s Lagos plans remain subject to regulatory approval, and the airline has not committed to a specific schedule or aircraft for the proposed service.
If launched as planned in 2027, the route would give travellers a direct option between Nigeria and Canada and potentially reduce reliance on connecting hubs.
The expanded agreement could also create room for other airlines to enter the market, with each country able to designate carriers to operate up to 14 passenger flights per week.
