Air Peace has received its first factory new Embraer E175, marking another major step in the airline’s fleet expansion programme as it continues to strengthen domestic and regional air travel across West and Central Africa.
The delivery was confirmed on Tuesday by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and further deepens its long standing partnership with Nigeria’s largest airline. Air Peace already operates the larger Embraer E195 E2 aircraft alongside its ERJ145 regional jets, while the arrival of the E175 adds greater flexibility to serve routes with varying passenger demand.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, described the new aircraft as another important milestone in the airline’s growth journey.
He said the E175 would improve operational efficiency, strengthen the airline’s regional footprint and support its commitment to providing safe, dependable and efficient air transport services within Nigeria and across neighbouring African countries.
The arrival of the aircraft follows an agreement signed in September 2023, when Air Peace placed a firm order for five brand new Embraer E175 aircraft valued at approximately 288 million dollars at listed prices. The purchase formed part of the airline’s long term plan to build one of the youngest and most modern commercial fleets in Africa.
At the time the agreement was signed, Onyema explained that the aircraft would help realise Air Peace’s vision of linking more Nigerian cities while expanding regional connections and providing stronger support for its growing international operations through Lagos.
Designed to carry about 88 passengers, the Embraer E175 fills an important gap within the airline’s fleet. It offers more seating capacity than the ERJ145 while remaining smaller than the Embraer E195 E2, making it an ideal choice for routes where larger aircraft may not be commercially viable.
Industry observers believe the new aircraft will allow Air Peace to increase flight frequencies on medium demand routes, introduce additional regional destinations and improve fleet efficiency by matching aircraft capacity more closely with passenger demand. The aircraft is also expected to reduce fuel consumption and operating expenses while delivering greater comfort for travellers and supporting the airline’s long term sustainability goals.
Another advantage of the E175 is that it shares cockpit similarities with the Embraer E195 E2, allowing the airline to reduce pilot training requirements, simplify maintenance and improve overall fleet management.
The latest delivery adds to Air Peace’s consistent investment in modern aircraft over the past few years. In 2021, the airline became Africa’s first operator of the Embraer E195 E2 after taking delivery of the continent’s inaugural aircraft of that model. The move reflected its commitment to modernising regional operations with more fuel efficient aircraft offering lower operating costs and improved passenger experience.
The airline further expanded its Embraer fleet in 2025 with the arrival of Embraer 190 aircraft to support its growing regional network.
Air Peace now operates a diverse fleet that includes Boeing 737, Boeing 777, Embraer E195 E2 aircraft, Embraer 190 aircraft, ERJ145 regional jets and the newly delivered Embraer E175.
The addition of the aircraft comes as the airline continues expanding its network beyond Nigeria, with scheduled services across West Africa and plans to extend its international operations even further.
With the E175 now joining its fleet, Air Peace is expected to improve connections between smaller Nigerian cities and neighbouring countries while advancing its long standing No City Left Behind initiative, which seeks to make air travel more accessible across the country.
it reports that the delivery of another factory new aircraft is also a positive development for Nigeria’s aviation industry, reflecting continued private sector investment in fleet renewal at a time when many airlines across Africa still depend largely on ageing aircraft.
