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Air Peace has ordered 10 new Boeing B737MAX aircraft from American aircraft manufacturer, Boeing.
The airline said it signed an agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of the aircraft in the United States, thereby making it the first airline to add the aircraft type to its growing fleet in the annals of West Africa.
A statement by Mr Chris Iwarah, the spokesman of Air Peace explained that Mr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman of the airline signed the agreement with Boeing.
He added that the airline already operates Boeing 737s and Embraer 145s on its domestic and regional routes, stressing that it would in the next few months launch its international flight operations.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony at the residence US Consul General in Lagos, Onyema said the airline was now more positioned to lift Nigeria’s economy, create jobs and transform air travel.
“We are excited to add the 737 MAX to our fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve more passengers.
“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.”
He commended Boeing, the governments of Nigeria and the United States as well as Fidelity Bank for their different roles in assisting the airline to achieve the feat.
For his part, Mr. Larry Tolliver, the Sales Director of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (West and Central Africa), commended Air Peace for the feat.
The new aircraft, he assured, would drastically cut the airline’s cost of operations.
Also speaking, Mr John Bray, US Consul General in Lagos, assured Air Peace of the support of his country’s government. He commended Air Peace and its chairman for the feat.
Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, on his part, lauded Onyema for his integrity and hard work.
He confirmed that Fidelity Bank decided to support Air Peace because of its financial discipline and sound business model
The 737 MAX 8 is part of a family of airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and the ability to fly up to 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers).
With improvements such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737 MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20 per cent on fuel costs compared to its current single-aisle airplanes.
The MAX 8, in particular, offers airlines 13 more seats than its closest competitor, seven per cent lower costs for each of those seats, and 300 miles more range.
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