Air Peace airline on 25th received its fourth brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft out of the thirteen it ordered from Embraer aircraft manufacturing company. The first of the new aircraft was received in January, 2021 by the airline.
The aircraft with registration number 5N- BYI, christened Kingsley Chwukuma Onyema touched down at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 2 pm and was welcomed with the traditional water cannon by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), fire service.
“We have increased connectivity and additional destinations. We are doing Port Harcourt, Asaba –Kano, Benin-PortHarcourt. We have started Lagos-Douala and we are going to connect to other destinations in the West and Central Africa…In 2018, we decided that as part of our business plans, we would start operating new aircraft. Old aircraft are also good and safe but for new aircraft, maintenance and operational costs are lower,” said CEO Allan Onyema during the aircraft delivery reception.
The new 124-seat Embraer E2s complement the airline’s eight 50-seat E145s already in its fleet and will also create greater regional and domestic connectivity from the carrier’s Lagos hub.
Air Peace took delivery of three E195-E2 aircraft this year from the 13 on firm order and has purchase rights for 17 of the same aircraft type. Two more E2s are expected join its fleet before the end of 2021.
Air Peace is also the first launch customer for Embraer’s premium cabin with a staggered seat option, meaning that instead of a standard 1-2 seat layout in business class, all travelers in the business cabin will now have direct aisle access in a 2-2 configuration.
Considering Air Peace is planning to use the E195s as feeder flights for its long-haul operations, having a premium business class cabin will go a long way for passengers. Moreover, those on domestic legs will undoubtedly enjoy the new cabin and overall E2 experience.
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
