… becomes first E-Jets E2 operator in Africa
By Chioma Obinagwam with Agency Report
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest commercial airline, has signed a $2.1 billion deal for the delivery of 10 jets from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.
Confiance News noted that this development is coming after recent attacks on the company over its decision to retain its Boeing 737 Max order, which was refuted by the company on the grounds that, like other airlines, it is awaiting result of investigations from the ill-fated flight ET 302 crash to make a final decision.
“The order was announced on Friday, during the Embraer’s Africa Airline Business Seminar, in Mauritius. With this order, Air Peace will become the first E-Jets E2 operator in Africa,” the company said in a statement sent to AFP.
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft as well as providing aeronautical services.
“The contract includes purchase rights for a further 20 E195-E2. With all purchase rights being exercised, the contract has a value of USD 2.12 billion, based on current list prices,” it said.
The company said the order would be included in Embraer’s 2019 second-quarter backlog.
Air Peace chief Allen Onyema was quoted as saying the deal would make the airline the first E2 operator in Africa. “We already have the ERJ145s in our fleet, so we understand the high standards of Embraer products,” he added.
Established in 2013, Air Peace is Nigeria’s largest commercial operator with 23 planes. The airline is also active in West Africa, operating daily flights to Accra, Dakar, Banjul and Freetown.
In February, Embraer announced it was selling 12 light attack aircraft to Nigeria’s air force, which is fighting Boko Haram jihadists in the northeast.
Confiance News also gathered that Embraer is the third largest producer of civil aircraft, after Boeing and Airbus.
