Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has signed an order with Embraer for 10 E195-E2 aircraft. With this, the airline will become the first Embraer E-Jets E2 operator in Africa.
The contract, valued at $2.12 billion, also includes purchase rights for 20 more aircraft. Additionally, the delivery will happen during the second-quarter backlog of this year.
With this, the airline intends to address the significant untapped demand in the African market.
This order was announced today, during the Embraer’s Africa Airline Business Seminar, in Mauritius.
Air Peace Chairman/CEO, Mr. Allen Onyema, said:
“Embraer’s new E195-E2 presents us with a marvel of an economic performance. It’s also great that we will be the first E2 operator on the African continent. We already have the ERJ145s in our fleet, so we understand the high standards of Embraer products.”
On the other hand Arjan Meijer, the Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer commented “Air Peace embodies the kind of pioneering spirit that Embraer loves. The airline was established to bring highly skilled work opportunities to the people of Nigeria and to boost connectivity, which in turn significantly contributed to the economy in the region.”
“Air Peace has delivered successfully on both aims, and has become a fast growing successful airline. It’s great to now have them on-board the E2 as well.”
In addition, Meijer explained how strong the market demand in Africa is becoming
“The market in Africa presents significant opportunities for airlines to deliver the connectivity that the whole continent needs. Aircraft however must be right-sized to develop those routes profitably; more than 90% of intra-African flights depart with fewer than 150 passengers onboard. And more than 70% of markets are served with less than one flight per day.”
Air Peace started operations in 2014 and is now the largest airline in West Africa.
The Airline launched a subsidiary named, Air Peace Hopper, and last year started operating six ERJ145 on short thin routes.
