Air Peace takes delivery of first brand-new Embraer E175
Air Peace has taken delivery of its first brand-new Embraer E175 aircraft, marking another major milestone in the airline’s fleet renewal programme and reinforcing its ambition to strengthen domestic and regional air connectivity across West and Central Africa.
The delivery, announced by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer on Tuesday, further consolidates the long-standing partnership between the two companies. Air Peace already operates the larger Embraer E195-E2 and the ERJ145 regional jets. The addition of the E175 provides the airline with greater flexibility to deploy aircraft that are better matched to passenger demand on domestic and regional routes.
Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the arrival of the aircraft as a significant step in the airline’s growth strategy.
According to him, the E175 will enhance operational flexibility, expand market reach and support the airline’s commitment to safe, reliable and efficient air transport services across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The delivery of the aircraft is the culmination of a fleet expansion programme that began in September 2023, when Air Peace signed a firm order with Embraer for five brand-new E175 aircraft valued at approximately $288 million at list prices. The order formed part of the airline’s broader objective of building one of Africa’s youngest and most modern fleets.
When the agreement was signed, Onyema explained that the E175 would help realise Air Peace’s vision of connecting every part of Nigeria while strengthening regional services across Africa and feeding passengers into the airline’s growing international network from Lagos.
The E175 occupies an important niche within Air Peace’s fleet. Seating about 88 passengers, it is larger than the ERJ145 but smaller than the E195-E2, making it particularly suitable for routes where demand does not justify deploying larger aircraft. This allows the airline to improve frequencies, maintain profitability on thinner routes and expand services into underserved destinations.
Industry analysts believe the aircraft will strengthen Air Peace’s domestic and regional operations by enabling the airline to increase frequencies on medium-density routes, open additional regional destinations, improve fleet efficiency by matching aircraft size to passenger demand, reduce fuel consumption and operating costs compared with older-generation aircraft, and enhance passenger comfort while supporting sustainable fleet growth.
The E175 also shares cockpit commonality with the E195-E2, reducing pilot training and operational costs while simplifying fleet management.
The latest delivery is another chapter in Air Peace’s aggressive investment in modern aircraft over the past several years.
In 2021, the airline became Africa’s launch customer for the Embraer E195-E2 after taking delivery of the continent’s first aircraft of the type. That acquisition signalled Air Peace’s determination to modernise its regional fleet with fuel-efficient aircraft offering lower operating costs and improved passenger comfort.
In 2025, the airline further expanded its Embraer fleet with the arrival of Embraer 190 aircraft to strengthen regional operations.
The addition of the E175 therefore complements an already diversified fleet that includes Boeing 737s, Boeing 777s, Embraer E195-E2s, Embraer 190s and ERJ145 regional jets.
The latest acquisition comes as Air Peace continues to expand its network beyond Nigeria, operating scheduled services across West Africa while pursuing additional international routes.
With the E175 joining its fleet, the airline is expected to improve connectivity between smaller Nigerian cities and neighbouring countries, supporting its long-standing “No City Left Behind” initiative aimed at improving air transport access across the country.
For Nigeria’s aviation industry, the arrival of another factory-new aircraft is also significant because it represents continued private-sector investment in fleet renewal at a time when many African carriers rely heavily on ageing aircraft.
The delivery underscores Air Peace’s strategy of building a modern, efficient fleet capable of supporting sustained domestic growth while strengthening its position as one of Africa’s leading airlines.
