BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace Limited has taken another significant stride in its strategic expansion drive with the arrival of its second Embraer 190 aircraft.
The sleek 96-seater jet, bearing the registration number 5N-CER, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 14:42pm on Friday, September 25, 2025, drawing applause from aviation stakeholders and industry watchers who described the move as a bold statement of intent.
The acquisition comes barely three months after Air Peace welcomed its first Embraer 190 on June 22, 2025, underscoring the airline’s deliberate strategy of investing in right-sized, fuel-efficient aircraft that match Nigeria’s evolving aviation realities.
The repeat order also highlights Air Peace’s sustained commitment to boosting operational capacity and offering passengers enhanced flying experiences across domestic and regional routes.
The Embraer 190, known globally as a versatile mid-range jet, is purpose-built for comfort and efficiency.
The aircraft boasts a 1-2 premium economy seating layout and a 2-2 economy configuration, eliminating the middle seat and giving passengers more personal space.
Its eco-friendly engineering, quieter engines, inflight entertainment screens, and power sockets position it as a customer-friendly option while providing the airline with greater operational flexibility.
Aviation analysts note that the jet is particularly suited for connecting underserved Nigerian destinations and linking West African cities, thereby plugging critical connectivity gaps.
Commenting on the development, Air Peace spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, described the new arrival as a demonstration of the airline’s long-term growth plan.
“We are excited to receive our second E190 and are expecting more units next year. At Air Peace, fleet expansion is intentional—it aligns with our mission to make air travel more accessible, comfortable, and seamless.
“The Embraer 190 is the perfect fit for our domestic and regional operations, ensuring reliable service while optimizing efficiency and passenger experience,” Efe affirmed.
Industry observers say the back-to-back induction of Embraer jets places Air Peace ahead of its rivals in terms of fleet modernization.
With over 40 aircraft already in service, including Boeing 777s, 737s, and Embraer jets, the airline has built Nigeria’s most diverse and robust fleet, enabling it to serve short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul markets effectively.
The new addition is also viewed as a crucial step in supporting Nigeria’s air transport infrastructure, especially as demand for air travel grows amid economic recovery.
Aviation analysts argue that introducing more mid-size aircraft like the E190 reduces operational costs, ensures quicker turnaround times, and allows the airline to profitably serve thinner routes that might not sustain larger aircraft.
Beyond the numbers, the arrival of the second Embraer 190 reinforces Air Peace’s vision to democratize air travel by making flying less stressful, more affordable, and more inclusive.
The airline has consistently maintained its market leadership by not only expanding routes but also by keeping customer experience at the heart of its operations.
Air Peace has revealed that it will soon roll out new domestic routes, expand its regional footprint in West and Central Africa, and deepen international operations, leveraging its growing fleet as a catalyst.
The airline is currently preparing to launch flights to new intercontinental destinations while consolidating existing ones, a move expected to enhance Nigeria’s global connectivity and boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
