Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill says the arrival of Nigerian airline Air Peace could significantly boost tourism, trade and investment between Barbados, West Africa and the wider region.

The Nigerian carrier touched down at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Sunday with more than 280 passengers on board, marking the first direct flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Barbados.

Addressing the official media launch at Hotel Indigo on Monday, Gooding-Edghill described the new service as transformational for Barbados and the wider Caribbean.