Lagos-based Nigerian carrier Air Peace has taken delivery of its first factory-new Embraer E175, the first of five on order, as the airline moves to expand its intra-Africa regional network across West and Central Africa.

According to Aviation Business News, Air Peace currently operates a mixed E-jet fleet comprising five Embraer E195-E2, eight ERJ145s and a single E190. The addition of the E175 programme broadens the carrier's narrowbody regional capability and supports its ambition to grow connectivity across the African continent.

Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the delivery highlighted continued demand for right-sized aircraft. "Airlines seeking to expand connectivity while maintaining high levels of efficiency and service," he said, describing Air Peace as a valued partner in Embraer's growing African customer base.

Dr Allen Onyema, chairman and chief executive of Air Peace, said the E175 would increase the airline's operational flexibility and market reach. "As we strengthen our leadership in West and Central Africa, this aircraft will increase our operational flexibility and market reach, all while maintaining the safety, reliability, and excellent service our passengers expect," he said.

The delivery arrives as Africa's aviation sector is forecast for significant long-term growth. Embraer's own Market Outlook report identifies 55 intra-African city pairs that currently lack direct air services, highlighting the scale of opportunity for regional aircraft such as the E175 to open new routes and improve connectivity across underserved markets on the continent.

The E175 is a 76 to 80-seat regional jet offering a combination of fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and operational flexibility well-suited to the thin-route, medium-distance flying that characterises intra-African connectivity. Its economics make it a practical choice for carriers seeking to launch new services on routes that cannot yet sustain larger narrowbody aircraft, a model that aligns closely with Air Peace's stated strategy of expanding its footprint across West and Central Africa.

Air Peace is one of Nigeria's largest carriers and has grown rapidly in recent years, establishing itself as a significant force in both domestic Nigerian aviation and regional West African connectivity as demand for air travel across the continent continues to expand.