Nigerian carrier Air Peace has received its first Embraer E175, expanding a fleet relationship that already spans the E195-E2 and ERJ145 variants, as Embraer’s latest African Connectivity Report identifies a growing number of intra-African routes that remain without direct air services.
FIRST FACTORY-NEW E175 DELIVERED TO NIGERIAN CARRIER
Embraer has delivered the first brand-new E175 aircraft to Air Peace, strengthening a fleet partnership that already encompasses the larger E195-E2 and the smaller ERJ145. The delivery took place in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and is intended to support Air Peace’s ambitions to increase domestic and regional connectivity across Nigeria and the wider West and Central African region while providing greater capacity flexibility.
Arjan Meijer, President and Chief Executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the delivery highlighted continued demand for right-sized aircraft, with airlines seeking to expand connectivity while maintaining high levels of efficiency and service. Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman and Chief Executive of Air Peace, described the delivery as a major milestone in the airline’s growth, reflecting its commitment to boosting domestic and regional travel with a modern, efficient fleet. He said the E175 would increase the airline’s operational flexibility and market reach while maintaining the safety, reliability and service standards its passengers expected.
REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND ROUTE EXPANSION
Embraer’s latest African Connectivity Report 2026 identifies 55 intra-African city pairs that currently lack direct air services, up from 45 such pairs identified in the 2025 edition. The report positions right-sized aircraft such as the E175 as well suited to open these routes and improve regional connectivity across a continent where population expansion, urbanisation and rising travel demand are driving long-term aviation growth.
With the E175 joining its fleet, Air Peace is expected to increase flight frequencies on key Nigerian domestic routes and introduce new services to an additional four African cities. The E175 is presented by Embraer as delivering favourable economics on thin and medium-density routes through exceptional fuel efficiency, lower emissions and strong passenger comfort, attributes that underpin its relevance to the African market’s structural growth profile.
Source and Image: Embraer
