Embraer delivers first E195-E2 aircraft to Nigerian carrier Air Peace

Nigerian carrier Air Peace has taken delivery of an E195-E2 aircraft from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer.

Configured in a dual class arrangement, the 124-seater is the latest and claimed to be the most efficient aircraft in the segment.

Embraer will fly the aircraft from its facility in São José dos Campos to join the Air Peace fleet in Nigeria.

The addition of the E195-E2 will enable the carrier to operate long-haul flights connecting the entire African continent from its Lagos hub.

Air Peace chairman and CEO 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. The acquisition will enable us to deliver on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative, which is underpinned by our goal to reduce the air transportation burden of Africans.”

The launch customer in Africa for the aircraft, Air Peace will receive another 12 of the same variants.

This delivery is the first of 13 firm E195-E2 orders, with 17 remaining purchase rights, as announced in March 2019, and updated with three additional firm orders from purchase rights at the Dubai Air Show in November 2019.

The value of the total deal, which includes all purchase rights, stands at $2.2bn.

Earlier this month, flag carrier Congo Airways also ordered two E195-E2 aircraft.

This latest order takes the carrier’s total order to four, which includes the existing two aircraft order for the smaller E190-E2.