Nigerian carrier Air Peace has taken delivery of the airline’s first E195-E2 aircraft.

Embraer says the aircraft is now due to fly from the manufacturer’s facility in São José dos Campos, Brazil to join the Air Peace fleet in Nigeria.

According to Embraer, there are currently 206 Embraer aircraft operating in Africa with 56 airlines. Air Peace is the launch customer in Africa for the E2 and the global launch customer for Embraer’s innovative premium staggered seating design. The airline already operates eight ERJ-145s and will use the E195-E2s to enhance domestic and regional connectivity.

The jet delivered today is the first of 13 firm E195-E2 orders announced in March 2019, with 17 remaining purchase rights. Three further firm orders from purchase rights were announced at the Dubai Air Show in November 2019. With all purchase rights exercised, the total value of the deal is US$2.2bn.

The chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, commented: “The E195-E2 is the perfect aircraft to expand our domestic and regional operations. We are aware of the aircraft’s impressive economic performance as well as its unique configuration, the major reasons we placed an order for this aircraft.

“It is also a historic feat as Air Peace will be the first to operate this aircraft model in the whole of Africa. The E195-E2 aircraft will further help us actualise our ambition of connecting not just the whole of Nigeria, but the entire African continent, while feeding long-haul flights from our Lagos hub. The acquisition will enable us to deliver on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative, which is underpinned by our goal to reduce the air transportation burden of Africans”.

Cesar Pereira, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Embraer Commercial Aviation said: “Handing over beautiful new jets to our customers is a favourite activity for everyone at Embraer. Doing so in the current circumstances is a boost for us all as we adapt to the changing environment. This is a fabulous start to the year for everybody at Air Peace and Embraer.”