Nigerian airline Air Peace is gearing up for the next stage of its fleet modernization plan, with the introduction of Embraer 175s.
The first of five E175s ordered in September 2023 is scheduled to arrive in December this year. The new batch of aircraft will complement the carrier’s existing fleet of nine larger E195-E2s.
The airline also operates eight earlier-generation ERJ-145s for domestic and regional routes. The new E175s will upgauge the ERJ-145 fleet and are expected to replace at least some of the older aircraft. The E175s will be delivered in an 88-seat, single-class layout, a significan upgrade on the 50 seats of the ERJ-145s.
The E175s will also allow Lagos-headquartered Air Peace to complement the larger E195-E2s, giving it the ability to match capacity to demand at short notice, protecting route viability. They will also help to feed passengers into the airline’s Lagos hub, for connection to onward long-haul flights.
The new aircraft will enable Air Peace to increase connectivity both within Nigeria and beyond its borders, according to president and CEO, Allen Onyema.
Onyema has also said that the carrier plans to develop a new MRO facility in Nigeria, to support maintenance of the Embraer types. Onyema has previously spoken out at the lack of major MRO facilities in Nigeria, which he said adds financial strain to local airlines’ operations by having to dispatch their aircraft overseas for repairs or overhauls.
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