Airlines Air Peace becomes first African airline to operate Embraer E2

Embraer has successfully delivered the first African E2 aircraft to customer Air Peace. The Nigerian carrier took delivery of their first E195-E2 aircraft today from the manufacturer´s facility in São José dos Campos. The aircraft is now due to be delivered to West Africa.

With the delivery, Embraer and Air Peace are bringing a modern state-of-the-art aircraft to the continent. Air Peace is also the global launch customer for the new and innovative premium staggered seating design from Embraer.

This aircraft delivered is the first of 13 firm E195-E2 orders the carrier made in March 2019. At Dubai Air Show in November 2019, the carrier added three firm orders and still holds 17 remaining purchase rights for additional aircraft. The total value of the deal, with all purchase rights exercised is valued at US$2.2bn.

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, said: "The E195-E2 is the perfect aircraft to expand our domestic and regional operations. We are aware of the aircraft's impressive economic performance as well as its unique configuration, the major reasons we placed an order for this aircraft. It is also a historic feat as Air Peace will be the first to operate this aircraft model in the whole of Africa." 

Cesar Pereira, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Embraer Commercial Aviation added: “Handing over beautiful new jets to our customers is a favourite activity for everyone at Embraer. Doing so in the current circumstances is a boost for us all as we adapt to the changing environment. This is a fabulous start to the year for everybody at Air Peace and Embraer.”

With the aircraft, Air Peace will come closer to actualise their ambition of connecting the entire African continent. The aircraft helps Air Peace to feed long-haul flights from the carrier´s hub at Lagos and with the aircraft, the carrier also hopes to reduce the air transportation burden of Africa.

Air Peace is already using ERJ-145 jets and is now enhancing its domestic, regional and international connectivity. The fleet consists of nine Boeing 737s, two 777s, one Dornier Do-328, one E195-E2 and seven ERJ-145s.

Air Peace was founded in 2013 and flies to 20 destinations in different African and Asian countries. The average fleet age is at over 20 years, meaning that this new E195-E2 is helping the carrier to modernize its fleet and to operate more efficient.