Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading carriers, has ordered 10 new aircraft to add to its fleet. It has signed an agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of 10 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Air Peace already operates Boeing 737s and Embraer 145s on its domestic and regional routes.
The airline, which recently added Boeing 777s to its fleet, is to launch its international flight operations soon.
Speaking during the agreement signing
ceremony at the residence of the US Consul General in Lagos, the
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, said the
airline has been more positioned to support the growth
of Nigeria’s economy, create jobs and transform air travel.
ceremony at the residence of the US Consul General in Lagos, the
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, said the
airline has been more positioned to support the growth
of Nigeria’s economy, create jobs and transform air travel.
“We are excited to add the 737 MAX to our
fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve
more passengers,” Onyema said.
fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve
more passengers,” Onyema said.
He added: “The fuel efficiency and
superior operating economics of the 737 MAX will ensure that the
aircraft will play a major role in growing our business in the years to
come.”
superior operating economics of the 737 MAX will ensure that the
aircraft will play a major role in growing our business in the years to
come.”
He commended Boeing, the governments of
Nigeria and the United States as well as Fidelity Bank for the roles
they played in assisting the airline to achieve the feat.
Nigeria and the United States as well as Fidelity Bank for the roles
they played in assisting the airline to achieve the feat.
On his part, the Sales Director of Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Mr. Larry Tolliver, commended Air Peace for the
bold step taken by the airline.
Commercial Airplanes, Mr. Larry Tolliver, commended Air Peace for the
bold step taken by the airline.
The new aircraft, he assured, would drastically cut the airline’s cost of operations.
Also speaking, the US Consul General in Lagos, Mr John Bray, assured Air Peace of the support of his country’s government.
He commended Air Peace and its chairman for the feat.
“There is a continuous dialogue with the
United States of America that is on-going to ensure safety and security
of passengers. Greater access into the United States requires the
carrier to be qualified and through dialogues more
routes will be given.”
United States of America that is on-going to ensure safety and security
of passengers. Greater access into the United States requires the
carrier to be qualified and through dialogues more
routes will be given.”
In his remark, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, commended Onyema for his integrity and hard work.
He said Fidelity Bank decided to support Air Peace because of its financial discipline and sound business model.
The 737 MAX 8 is part of a family of
airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and the ability to fly up to 3,850
nautical miles (7,130 kilometres).
airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and the ability to fly up to 3,850
nautical miles (7,130 kilometres).
With improvements such as the CFM
International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737
MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20 percent on fuel costs compared
to its current single-aisle airplanes.
International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737
MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20 percent on fuel costs compared
to its current single-aisle airplanes.
The MAX 8 offers airlines 13 more seats
than its closest competitor, seven percent lower costs for each of those
seats, and 300 miles more range.
than its closest competitor, seven percent lower costs for each of those
seats, and 300 miles more range.
“Africa is a growing market for
commercial airplanes and we are proud that airlines like Air Peace are
selecting Boeing aircraft to be part of that growth,” Boeing Sales Vice
President for Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Central
Asia and Africa, said.
commercial airplanes and we are proud that airlines like Air Peace are
selecting Boeing aircraft to be part of that growth,” Boeing Sales Vice
President for Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Central
Asia and Africa, said.
“This order reflects the strong demand
that we are seeing for the 737 MAX as airlines choose the airplane’s
superior performance and reliability.”
that we are seeing for the 737 MAX as airlines choose the airplane’s
superior performance and reliability.”
The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,700 orders from 102 customers worldwide.
