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Air Peace has added another Embraer 190 to its growing fleet, taking the airline’s total Embraer aircraft to 18 as it presses ahead with an aggressive fleet acquisition and network expansion programme.
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The 96-seat Embraer 190 arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, becoming the eighth aircraft acquired by Air Peace in 2026 and further strengthening its capacity for domestic, regional and international operations.
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The aircraft has been named after Eka Sunmonu, wife of former Shell Petroleum Development Company Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, marking the first time Air Peace has named an aircraft after someone outside the Onyema family.
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The airline has also acquired five Boeing 737-800 aircraft this year, reinforcing its strategy of building a diverse fleet capable of improving connectivity, operational flexibility and schedule resilience across its expanding network.
October 07, (THEWILL) – Air Peace Limited has further strengthened its fleet with the acquisition of another Embraer 190 aircraft, bringing the number of Embraer aircraft in its fleet to 18 as the airline intensifies its expansion across domestic, regional and international markets.
THEWILL reports that the 96-seat aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Flown into Lagos by Captain Mrs. Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide, the aircraft represents the eighth aircraft acquired by Air Peace in 2026, highlighting the scale and pace of the airline’s ongoing fleet expansion programme.
The latest addition is configured with 12 Business Class and 84 Economy Class seats. Its 1-2 Business Class configuration provides passengers with increased personal space and privacy, while the 2-2 Economy Class arrangement eliminates the middle seat.
The aircraft also features generous legroom, a spacious cabin environment, and in-seat power sockets, providing enhanced comfort for passengers.
The aircraft has been named after Mrs. Eka Sunmonu, wife of Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
The naming also marks a significant departure from Air Peace’s previous aircraft-naming tradition, as it is the first time the airline has named an aircraft after someone outside the Onyema family.
The latest Embraer 190 adds to Air Peace’s expanding Embraer portfolio, which includes the latest-generation E2 series. Air Peace is the launch customer for the Embraer E2 in Africa.
The airline’s fleet expansion has also extended to Boeing aircraft. Air Peace has acquired five Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2026, further strengthening its capacity to serve different markets and route requirements.
Commenting on the latest acquisition, Air Peace spokesperson, Mr. Osifo-Whiskey Efe, described the arrival of the Embraer 190 as another milestone in the airline’s strategic fleet expansion programme.
He said the airline was deliberately building a diverse and versatile fleet to give it the flexibility required to expand its network and improve operational reliability.
“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 added that the airline’s growing Embraer and Boeing fleets were being developed as part of a long-term expansion strategy.
“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 said.
The latest acquisition underscores Air Peace’s continued investment in fleet growth as it seeks to increase capacity and strengthen connectivity within Nigeria and across the African continent.
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Background
Air Peace has in recent years pursued an aggressive fleet and network expansion strategy, acquiring aircraft to support its growing domestic, regional and international operations.
The airline has expanded its use of Embraer aircraft while also adding Boeing aircraft to its fleet, allowing it to deploy different aircraft types according to route requirements and passenger demand.
Its acquisition of Embraer’s E2 series has also positioned Air Peace as the launch customer for the aircraft type in Africa, reinforcing its focus on newer-generation aircraft as part of its fleet development strategy.
The continued addition of aircraft comes as the airline seeks to strengthen its connectivity within Nigeria, deepen its presence across Africa and support its expanding international operations.
With another Embraer 190 now in service and eight aircraft acquired in 2026, Air Peace says its focus remains on building long-term capacity through sustained investment in aircraft, network development and operational capability.
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