BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In line with its route consolidation and expansion plans, Air Peace has placed a firm order for five Embraer E175 aircraft to fortify its operations.
The value of the order, at list price, is $288.3 million.
The move, according to the airline, is also consistent with its fleet modernisation agenda of becoming the operator of the largest and youngest fleet of aircraft in Africa.
Air Peace’s Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema, who made these disclosures in a statement, said the airline was totally committed to enhancing its domestic and regional network connectivity and ultimately paving the way for international expansion.
He stated that deliveries of the 88-seater aircraft start in 2024.
Onyema said: “Already an operator of Embraer’s newest and largest jet, the E195-E2, these smaller aircraft will complement the airlines’ existing fleet, allowing Air Peace to dynamically match capacity to demand, protecting yields and route viability”.
“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”, he said.
Onyema noted; “The acquisition enables us to continue delivering on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative – connectivity is what our passengers, and Africa, demand”.
He stated that the deal also paves the way to establish local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria, with direct support from Embraer, adding that 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”, Onyema stated.
Also commenting on Air Peace’s investment in the acquisition of the Embraer fleet of aircraft, which has increased to 18 brand new firm aircraft to date, Stephan Hannemann, Embraer’s vice president Sales & Marketing, Head of Africa & Middle East Region and Commercial Aviation explained that the partnership with Air Peace was committed to directly supporting the establishment of local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria.
