Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline and the largest in West Africa, has taken a significant stride in modernizing its fleet by placing a firm order for five Embraer E175 aircraft. This strategic move underscores the airline’s commitment to becoming the operator with the largest and most modern fleet of aircraft in Africa.
The order, with a total value of US$288.3 million at list prices, reinforces Air Peace’s dedication to enhancing domestic and regional network connectivity while opening the door for further expansion into the region. Deliveries of these 88-seat aircraft are scheduled to commence in 2024.
Air Peace already operates Embraer’s newest and largest jet, the E195-E2, and the addition of these smaller E175 aircraft will complement its existing fleet. This flexibility will enable Air Peace to dynamically adjust capacity according to demand, safeguarding profitability and route viability.
Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, expressed his enthusiasm for the order, stating, “This is another important step in helping to realize our ambition to connect the whole of Nigeria with the entire African continent, while also feeding passengers into long-haul flights from our Lagos hub. The acquisition enables us to continue delivering on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative – connectivity is what our passengers, and Africa, demand. The deal also paves the way to establish local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria, with direct support from Embraer.”
Air Peace’s strategic vision and innovative approach have solidified its position as a powerhouse in West African aviation. Stephan Hannemann, VP Sales & Marketing, Head of Africa & Middle East Region, Commercial Aviation at Embraer, acknowledged Air Peace’s significant investment in its Embraer fleet, which now stands at 18 brand new firm aircraft to date. He also highlighted Embraer’s commitment to assisting in the establishment of local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria, further strengthening the partnership between the airline and the aircraft manufacturer.
This expansion of Air Peace’s fleet not only underscores its commitment to delivering top-quality services to its customers but also reinforces Nigeria’s status as a key player in the regional aviation industry. The addition of the Embraer E175 aircraft is set to contribute significantly to Air Peace’s growth and its mission to enhance connectivity throughout the African continent.
