Nigerian-based airline, Air Peace has taken delivery of two Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing the carrier’s Airbus fleet to four A320 aircraft.
The flag carrier diversified its narrow and widebody fleet in November 2021, adding its first two Airbus A320-200 aircraft through a six-month damp-lease agreement with EU-based ACMI charter and cargo operator, SmartLynx Airlines. The aircraft operate on the airline’s domestic and regional routes.
The two new A320 aircraft, delivered on January 18, 2022, will join Air Peace’s flight schedule, and are intended to further support the airline’s domestic and regional operations.
Airbus News- Just took delivery of two new additional Airbus 320s to further support our domestic and regional operations. You would recall that late last year, we received our first two Airbuses.
— Air Peace (@flyairpeace) January 18, 2022
We’re also expecting more brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft this year. pic.twitter.com/8ZXrBYCZ0z
Air Peace is the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa. The carrier boasts a fleet of about 30 aircraft, consisting of Boeing 737 and 777 aircraft as well as Dornier Do-328, Embraer ERJ-145 and Embraer E2 aircraft.
In 2022, the carrier expects to boost its regional and domestic capacity with the delivery of more E2s. Air Peace currently operates five Embraer 195-E2 aircraft and expects delivery of eight more of the type. This includes an option to purchase a further 17 once the initial delivery is complete.
The airline’s management sees its A320 fleet as a provisionary solution “to meet the growing travel demand in the Nigerian and larger West African markets” while it waits to expand its Embraer 195-E2 fleet capacity.
In a statement published by SmartLynx Airlines, Oluwatoyin Olajide, Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, shared the airline’s interest in creating future opportunities with the European airline.
With ambitious plans to expand its fleet capacity, Air Peace is also committed to its firm order of 10 Boeing 737 MAXs, which was placed in 2018.
Today, the flag carrier operates flights on 19 domestic routes, six regional routes and two international destinations.