Nigeria’s Air Peace orders 5+5 E175s to open MRO hub

Air Peace (P4, Lagos) and Embraer have entered into a USD288.3 million agreement to acquire five E175s, with an option for an additional five, as well as to establish an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility in Nigeria to support these aircraft. The airline’s intent is to replace its current fleet of 50-seater E145s, aligning with its fleet modernization strategy, as stated in a joint announcement.

The contract was formalized during the Africa Aviation 2023 summit in Abuja on September 14. The signing ceremony involved Festus Keyamo, the new Nigerian Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister; Allan Onyema, Air Peace Chairman; Musa Nuha, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; and Stephen Hannemann, Embraer’s Commercial Vice President for Sales & Marketing in Africa and the Middle East.

Embraer anticipates commencing deliveries of the 88-seat E175 aircraft in 2024, with the first two units. According to data from the ch-aviation fleet advanced module, Air Peace presently operates five larger E195-E2s, along with five EMB-145LRs and three EMB-145MPs. Embraer stated, “These smaller aircraft will complement the airline’s existing fleet, allowing Air Peace to dynamically adjust capacity to demand, safeguarding profitability and route viability.”

Hannemann commented, “Being an existing E2 operator, it is now logical for Air Peace to upgrade its ERJ145 fleet, offering passengers increased seating capacity and comfort with the E175. The cockpit commonality between the E1 and E2 fleet also simplifies aircrew expenses and management.”

Onyema added, “This represents another significant step toward realizing our vision of connecting all of Nigeria to the entire African continent, while also funneling passengers through our Lagos hub for long-haul flights. This acquisition allows us to continue delivering on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative, addressing the connectivity needs of our passengers and Africa as a whole. The agreement also paves the way for establishing local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria, with direct support from Embraer.”

News Room Nigeria reported that Onyema indicated the acquisition was initiated following a directive from Minister Keyamo to advance the Nigerian aviation sector and attract investment through the establishment of the maintenance facility. He disclosed, “The minister contacted me two weeks ago and conveyed that moving forward, any Nigerian airline seeking to bring in brand-new aircraft must also consider developing in-house maintenance capabilities for those aircraft within Nigeria.”

Air Peace made history as the first African carrier to place an order for E2s in 2019 when it committed to ten E195-E2s, subsequently expanding its order with three more aircraft. This contract also included purchase rights for an additional twenty aircraft of the same type. According to ch-aviation data, eight E195-E2s are still awaiting delivery.