BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace has announced a major overhaul of its regional operations, moving all West and Central African services from night-time to daytime flights with effect from 02 February 2026, in a move aimed at improving passenger comfort, operational efficiency and regional connectivity.
The transition is a key pivot for Nigeria’s leading airline as it sharpens its competitive edge within the West African sub-region and beyond.
By operating regional routes during daylight hours, Air Peace says passengers will enjoy more convenient travel times, smoother connections, and improved reliability across its growing network.
Under the new structure, Lagos will serve as an even stronger regional hub, with daytime departures and arrivals carefully timed to connect seamlessly with domestic flights and night-time long-haul services.
This alignment is expected to benefit business travelers, government officials, tourists, and transit passengers who rely on efficient schedules to move across Africa and onward to international destinations.
Key routes affected by the change include Lagos–Abidjan–Dakar–Banjul and Lagos–Accra–Monrovia–Freetown, both of which will now operate exclusively during the day on designated days of the week.
In addition, the popular Lagos–Accra route will continue to enjoy daily services, complemented by additional frequencies on select days to meet growing demand.
According to the airline, the daytime operations model offers multiple advantages.
Passengers can expect enhanced comfort and a better overall travel experience, while improved schedule predictability is set to boost on-time performance.
The new timings also strengthen connections to late-evening intercontinental departures from Lagos, making Air Peace an attractive option for travelers moving between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Beyond passenger benefits, the shift is positioned as a catalyst for regional economic activity.
By easing movement across West and Central Africa, the airline is reinforcing its role in supporting intra-African trade, tourism, and diplomatic engagement.
Industry observers say the development places Air Peace in a stronger position against both regional competitors and foreign carriers operating similar routes from Lagos.
The airline also signaled that the daytime transition is only part of a broader expansion plan.
New regional destinations—including Douala, Libreville, Kinshasa, Conakry, Bamako, and Johannesburg—are expected to be introduced before the end of the first quarter of operations, further extending the carrier’s Africa-to-Africa footprint.
Bookings for the new daytime regional services are now open through authorized travel agencies, the Air Peace website, and approved sales channels.
As it rolls out the updated schedule, Air Peace says it remains focused on delivering safe, reliable, and competitive air travel while strengthening Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as a leading aviation hub for the African continent.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
