Air Peace Acquires 8 Aircraft In 2026, Takes Embraer Fleet To 18

Air Peace Limited has added another Embraer 190 to its fleet, bringing its total number of Embraer aircraft to 18 and marking its eighth aircraft acquisition in 2026.

The 96-seat aircraft arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with Captain Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide at the controls.

The acquisition is part of the airline’s fleet expansion programme, which also includes five Boeing 737-800 aircraft acquired this year as it increases capacity across its domestic, regional and international operations.

Air Peace is also the launch customer for the Embraer E2 series in Africa.

The newly acquired Embraer 190 has been named Mrs Eka Sunmonu, in honour of the wife of Mutiu Sunmonu, former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company.

The airline said the naming marked the first time it had named an aircraft after someone outside the Onyema family.

Configured with 12 Business Class seats and 84 Economy Class seats, the aircraft features a 1-2 seating arrangement in Business Class and a 2-2 configuration in Economy Class, eliminating middle seats. Other features include generous legroom, a spacious cabin and in-seat power sockets.

Air Peace said the addition would give it greater flexibility in assigning aircraft to routes according to passenger demand and operational requirements. While smaller regional aircraft can serve routes where larger jets may be unsuitable, Boeing aircraft can support higher-capacity services.

The airline’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, described the acquisition as part of a deliberate strategy to expand its fleet and strengthen its route network.

“The arrival of another Embraer 190 is an important milestone in our strategic fleet expansion programme. We are deliberately building a diverse and versatile fleet that gives us the operational flexibility required to strengthen our network, improve schedule resilience and provide greater connectivity across the markets we serve,” Efe said.

He said the airline’s growing Embraer and Boeing fleets would support its long-term expansion plans.

“With 18 Embraer aircraft now in our fleet, alongside our growing Boeing portfolio, we are building capacity for the long term. Every fleet decision is tied to our broader expansion strategy and our commitment to deploying the right aircraft across our domestic, regional and international network,” he added.

The airline said its continued investment in aircraft was intended to strengthen connectivity within Nigeria, expand its presence across Africa and support international services.

The latest acquisition comes amid an industry focus on aircraft availability, operational reliability and improved connectivity. Air Peace said its fleet expansion would help it match aircraft capacity to route requirements while strengthening its operational flexibility.

The airline did not provide details of the financial terms of the latest acquisition.