…Acquires 8 Additional Aircraft In 2026
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In what many describe as an audacious expansion agenda, Air Peace has added another Embraer 190 aircraft to its fleet, bringing the number of Embraer aircraft operated by the airline to 18 as it steps up efforts to expand its operations and strengthen its flight network.
The 96-seat Embraer 190 arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The aircraft, flown into Lagos by Captain (Mrs.) Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide, is the eighth aircraft acquired by Air Peace so far this year, highlighting the airline’s continued investment in fleet expansion.
The latest aircraft has been named after Mrs. Eka Sunmonu, wife of Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
The naming is significant as it marks the first time Air Peace has named an aircraft after someone outside the Onyema family.
The airline said the growing Embraer fleet is part of its wider plan to build a modern and flexible fleet capable of supporting its domestic, regional and international operations.
Air Peace is also the launch customer for Embraer’s E2 aircraft in Africa, giving it a growing presence in the use of the manufacturer’s latest-generation aircraft.
Beyond its Embraer fleet, the airline has continued to expand its Boeing fleet. It has acquired five Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2026 as part of efforts to increase capacity and support the expansion of its route network.
The new Embraer 190 is configured with 12 Business Class and 84 Economy Class seats. Its Business Class cabin uses a 1-2 seating arrangement, giving passengers more personal space, while the Economy Class uses a 2-2 layout, meaning there is no middle seat.
The aircraft also offers increased legroom, a spacious cabin and power sockets for passengers, features the airline said would improve the overall flying experience.
Air Peace spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, said the latest addition reflected the airline’s deliberate strategy to increase its fleet and expand its network.
He said the airline was building a diverse fleet to give it greater flexibility in deploying aircraft on different routes, improving its ability to maintain schedules and connect more destinations.
“The arrival of another Embraer 190 is an important milestone in our strategic fleet expansion programme. We are deliberately building a diverse and versatile fleet that gives us the operational flexibility required to strengthen our network, improve schedule resilience and provide greater connectivity across the markets we serve,” Efe said.
He added that the airline’s 18 Embraer aircraft, combined with its growing Boeing fleet, would provide more capacity to support its long-term expansion plans.
“With 18 Embraer aircraft now in our fleet, alongside our growing Boeing portfolio, we are building capacity for the long term.
Every fleet decision is tied to our broader expansion strategy and our commitment to deploying the right aircraft across our domestic, regional and international network,” he said.
The latest acquisition further strengthens Air Peace’s position as one of Nigeria’s biggest airlines and comes as the carrier continues to expand its domestic routes while increasing its presence across Africa and on international routes.
The airline said its fleet expansion would enable it to improve connectivity within Nigeria, deepen its African operations and support its growing international network.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
