Nigerian carrier Air Peace has booked an order for 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in Lagos earlier today. The deal is expected to be valued at $1.17 billion at current list prices.
The African carrier operates a fleet of 13 Boeing 737-300/500s between major cities in Central and West Africa. It also operates two Embraer ERJ-145 on a domestic basis.
The airline recently took delivery of two ex-Emirates Boeing 777s, one 777-300(ER) (5N-BUU) and a -200(ER) (5N-BVE), both stored at present. Air Peace plans to launch long-haul operations within the next few months.
“We are excited to add the 737 MAX to our fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve more passengers,” said Allen Onyema, Chairman and CEO of Air Peace.
“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.”
5N-BUU Air Peace Boeing 777-31H photographed at Dublin Collinstown (DUB / EIDW) by PAUL QUINN
Photo: Paul Quinn // Planespotters.net
Also present at the deal in Lagos was Ihssane Mounir, Senior VP of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing.
“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,” said Mounir.
Air Peace • Boeing 737-524(WL)
“This order reflects the strong demand that we are seeing for the 737 MAX as airlines choose the airplane’s superior performance and reliability.”
It is unclear what configuration Air Peace will use these aircraft.
The Nigerian carrier, founded in 2013, currently operates to Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and numerous domestic cities within Nigeria.
The airline just launched new services to Accra, Freetown Banjul Dakar, and Monrovia.
This is good news for Boeing as they can now expand its 737 MAX presence within Africa.
