Air Peace Soars Higher: Invests in New Embraer E175s and signs Maintenance Agreement

West Africa's largest airline company has taken another bold step to boost its operation by expanding and renewing its fleet.

This announcement was made by the airline during the Aviation Africa Summit in Nigeria, where it stated that it has ordered five new Embraer E175 aircraft as part of the company's goals to modernize its fleet.

The move is in line with the airline's long-term strategy of becoming the operator of the largest and youngest fleet of aircraft in Africa.

The new aircraft ordered amounted to $288.3 million. These aircraft will foster the growth of domestic and regional network connectivity.

The E175 aircraft ordered each have 88 seats and are expected to be delivered in 2024. So far, Air Peace's existing fleet includes Embraer’s newest and largest jet, the E195-E2.

With the acquisition of these smaller E175s, Air Peace hopes to meet the demands of their customers.

Speaking on the new acquisition, the CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has this to say.

• 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.

Also commenting on the acquisition of the new jet, Stephen Hannemann, VP of Sales & Marketing, Head of Africa & Middle East Region, Commercial Aviation at Embraer, Applauded Air Peace’s strategic approach, saying, 

• Air Peace’s strategic and innovative approach continues to make them a powerhouse of aviation success in West Africa. Already an E2 operator, it now makes sense to upgauge their ERJ145 fleet, offering passengers more seats and comfort with the E175. 

• The commonality of the cockpits between the E1 and E2 fleet also simplifies aircrew costs and management.

With the acquisition of Embraer aircraft, Air Peace will expand its fleet to 18 brand-new aircraft while meeting the demands of its customers, thereby placing it as West Africa's largest airline company.