Chinedu Eze
The first Air Peace order for 10 brand new Embraer E195-E2 at the cost of $2.1 billion in 2019, to become the first launch customer for the aircraft type in Africa, had since deepened the relationship between Nigeria and Brazil.
In 2023 Air Peace made additional order for five Embraer E175 and later converted three of the orders to larger Embraer E195-E2 in 2025, leaving a firm order backlog of two E175s.
At this time, the airline was in need of more aircraft when the Embraer E175 was delivered. The spokesperson for Air Peace, Mr. Efe Osifo-Whiskey, said the arrival of the aircraft dovetailed with the airline’s fleet modernization, route expansion plans.
“Air Peace Limited, has welcomed its brand-new Embraer E175 aircraft to Nigeria, marking another significant milestone in its unwavering commitment to providing world-class air travel across Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa and beyond,” Osifo-Whiskey said.
Air Peace noted that the arrival of the state-of-the-art aircraft—the first brand-new Embraer E175 in the airline’s fleet, further underscores Air Peace’s strategic investment in a young, modern, and fuel-efficient fleet designed to support its expanding domestic, regional, and international operations while delivering greater comfort, reliability, and operational excellence to its growing customer base.
“The 88-seat aircraft, bearing Nigerian registration mark 5N-CGH, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 8:32 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 7, 2026, following a successful ferry flight from Brazil, where it was officially handed over to the Air Peace delegation by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, after the completion of its production.
“Purpose-built for short-to-medium-haul operations, the Embraer E175 combines exceptional performance with outstanding passenger comfort. Configured with 88 seats in an all 2-2 layout, the aircraft eliminates middle seats, ensuring every passenger enjoys either a window or aisle seat. Its ergonomically designed leather seats, generous legroom, spacious overhead baggage bins, larger windows, and carefully engineered ambient cabin create a quieter, brighter, and more relaxing travel experience from take-off to landing,” the airline said.
Beyond passenger comfort, the brand-new Embraer E175 is renowned for its operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Equipped with advanced aerodynamics and fuel-efficient engines, the aircraft delivers lower fuel consumption, reduced carbon emissions, and significantly quieter operations, supporting Air Peace’s commitment to sustainable aviation while maintaining the high safety and reliability standards for which the airline is renowned.
“The arrival of our brand-new Embraer E175 represents far more than the addition of another aircraft to our fleet. It reflects Air Peace’s unwavering commitment to continuous investment in modern aviation assets that improve operational efficiency, strengthen route connectivity, and elevate the overall travel experience for our passengers.
“The Embraer E175 is ideally suited for our domestic and regional operations, offering the flexibility to efficiently serve existing routes while opening new markets with optimal capacity. For our passengers, this means greater schedule reliability, increased flight frequencies, enhanced on-board comfort, and the premium travel experience they have come to expect from Air Peace.
“As we continue to expand our network across Nigeria, West Africa, Central Africa, and other international destinations, this aircraft further positions us to respond to growing passenger demand while contributing meaningfully to economic development, regional integration, tourism, and intra-African connectivity,” the airline further stated
The arrival of the brand-new Embraer E175 further underscores Air Peace’s position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines and demonstrates its unwavering confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry. As the airline continues to invest in cutting-edge aircraft and expand its network, it remains steadfast in its mission of connecting people, businesses, and cultures through safe, reliable, and affordable air travel.
“With the addition of this brand-new Embraer E175, Air Peace once again reaffirms its promise to deliver exceptional service, world-class comfort, and seamless connectivity while setting new standards for aviation excellence across Nigeria, West Africa, Central Africa, and the global destinations it proudly serves,” the airline added.
Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the arrival of the aircraft as an important step in the airline’s growth.
“The delivery of our first Embraer E175 is a major milestone in Air Peace’s growth, reflecting our commitment to boosting domestic and regional travel with a modern, efficient fleet. As we strengthen our leadership in West and Central Africa, this aircraft will increase our operational flexibility and market reach, all while maintaining the safety, reliability, and excellent service our passengers expect,” he said.
According to Embraer, the E175 is suited to thin and medium-density routes, offering fuel efficiency, lower emissions and operating economics intended to support services where larger aircraft may not be the most appropriate fit.
Air Peace has cultivated very strong partnership with Embraer. With the delivery of E175, the airline boasts of a large Embraer fleet. Air Peace is the African launch customer for the highly sophisticated E195-E2, which features a spacious 124-seat configuration with no middle seats in economy. The airline also flies the 96-seater E190 and the smaller ERJ145 to serve both domestic routes and smaller, medium-density regional markets.
Air Peace in 2025 laid foundation for the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in partnership with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer. The facility due to be completed in 2027 is billed to save Nigeria at least $1 billion capital flight annually in aircraft maintenance.
Air Peace aircraft acquisition from Embraer softened the ground when the Nigerian carrier planned to start scheduled flight to Brazil’s commercial capital, Sao Paulo. That plan gained strength when the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid state visit to the South American nation and invited the Air Peace Chairman. That was where the planned flight service to Brazil was cemented.
In June 2026, Air Peace Limited, received approval from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), to fly to São Paulo, the biggest city in South America and the country’s economic nerve centre.
THISDAY also learnt that the flight service will kick off later this year, as Air Peace is making every effort to have smooth flight operation to Brazil. The operation will start off with three weekly flights and will open a new corridor for Nigerians and other potential travellers from West and Central Africa to fly directly to Brazil.
The flight will also connect passengers farther to other South American nations like Venezuela, Colombia and Argentina. Despite the fact that Brazil and Nigeria have strong cultural affinity, Nigeria does not have direct flight to South American destinations after the years of Varig, which operated directly to Lagos from Rio de Janeiro. That service ended in mid 1990, over 30 years ago.
“Brazil gave approval to Air Peace to provide schedule commercial flight and cargo operations to Sao Paulo. We shall start with three times weekly flight and connect West Africa to Brazil,” Osifo-Whiskey further said.
Currently Nigerians that wish to travel to Brazil go through South Africa, Cape Verde, Angola or through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the trip can last up to two days but in about seven hours, Air Peace will fly from Lagos to Brazil.
It has to be noted that many Brazilians come to Nigeria, especially Western Nigeria for religious pilgrimage. Direct flight operation will open more business and tourism opportunities between the two nations.