Air Peace, Nigeria’s premier airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, has announced a strategic agreement to dry-lease four Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Slovak carrier AirExplore for the yuletide 2024/2025 season. This move is part of Air Peace's effort to enhance its domestic operations out of its main hub in Lagos, aiming to cater to the increased demand expected during the bustling yuletide period.

According to the agreement, the dry-leasing arrangement will see AirExplore, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group (ASG), supply pilots for the aircraft, while Air Peace will provide cabin crew who are currently on training program for the task. Head, Corporate Communications, Air Peace Limited, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo explained that the unique setup would allow Air Peace to maintain its high standards of customer service while leveraging AirExplore's operational expertise. “Passengers can expect efficient and familiar service onboard, in line with Air Peace's established reputation,” he added.

Dr. Ndiulo disclosed that Air Peace's existing fleet is robust, comprising seven Boeing 737-300s, four Boeing 737-500s, a Boeing 777-200ER, two Boeing 777-300s, eight Embraer E145s, five Embraer E195-E2s, and an executive Dornier 328-300. He explained that the airline also has ambitious expansion plans, with pending orders for five Embraer E175s, eight more Embraer E195-E2s, and 10 Boeing 737-8s. This is in addition to the two Boeing 737-700s from Mongolia's Eznis Airways on wet-lease, thus highlighting Air Peace’s commitment to adaptability and growth.

This latest collaboration with AirExplore is not the first between Air Peace and ASG’s ACMI/charter specialists. From 2021 to 2023, Air Peace successfully dry-leased two Airbus A320-200s from SmartLynx Airlines Malta, another member of ASG, demonstrating a history of flexibility in meeting seasonal travel demands. These partnerships have proven essential for Air Peace to sustain seamless operations, especially during peak travel times.

However, the Airline is silent on how the new Boeing 737-800s will integrate into the fleet—whether to supplement or eventually replace the two wet-leased Boeing 737-700. However, analysts note that Air Peace’s calculated approach to fleet management reinforces its market position as a leading airline in Nigeria.

AirExplore itself has recently expanded its influence in the ACMI leasing market following its acquisition by Avia Solutions Group earlier this year. The airline operates a diverse fleet of Boeing 737-800 variants, including passenger aircraft and converted freighters, which makes it a strategic partner for Air Peace’s growing domestic and regional footprint.

As yuletide approaches, Air Peace's ramped-up operations and fleet expansion reflect its ongoing mission to provide safe, efficient, and high-quality air travel across Nigeria. By prioritizing fleet upgrades and strategic partnerships, Air Peace continues to rise above challenges, ensuring that its passengers experience the best in Nigerian aviation.

The addition of four Boeing 737-800 aircraft through a dry-lease agreement is a strategic move that sets Air Peace up for operational success. By efficiently managing its fleet, enhancing passenger experience, and preparing for peak demand, Air Peace demonstrates its commitment to remaining Nigeria's leading carrier. As the airline continues to grow and expand its reach, these aircraft will undoubtedly contribute to smoother operations and an elevated travel experience for passengers across the country.

Expert Insights and Analysis on Air Peace’s Fleet Expansion

The strategic decision by Air Peace to dry-lease four Boeing 737-800 aircraft from AirExplore reflects a calculated approach to optimizing operational capacity while enhancing passenger experience. Here are some expert insights and notable case studies that shed light on how this addition will shape Air Peace’s services and boost its competitiveness:

1. Meeting Seasonal Demand:

Experts agree that the aviation sector in Nigeria experiences significant fluctuations in passenger numbers, particularly during peak seasons like the yuletide. The decision to expand the fleet with four additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft is a proactive move to meet this surge. According to Dr. John Akinwale, an aviation analyst, “Air Peace’s decision to lease these aircraft demonstrates foresight. Airlines that plan for seasonal shifts in demand by expanding capacity ahead of time avoid disruptions and maintain service reliability.”

In 2021, Dr Akinwale cited Delta Air Lines strategically increased its fleet through leasing agreements to accommodate post-pandemic holiday travel demand. This move allowed the airline to cater to a sharp rise in passenger volume, which, in turn, boosted customer satisfaction and revenue, he added. Similarly, Air Peace’s new aircraft could help sustain reliable operations, preventing delays and flight cancellations, he stressed.

2. Leveraging Dry-Lease Agreements:

The dry-leasing arrangement, where AirExplore provides pilots while Air Peace supplies cabin crew, is a model that balances operational efficiency with cost management. Captain David Onuoha, a former airline operations director, explains, “Dry-leasing reduces the training and operational integration time for the leasing airline. Air Peace can quickly bring the leased aircraft into operation while retaining its own brand identity through familiar cabin service.”

Lufthansa used dry-leases to bolster its fleet during busy periods, partnering with regional carriers for efficient service integration. This strategy minimized service disruptions and allowed passengers to enjoy consistent quality. For Air Peace, the familiarity of its cabin crew ensures that passengers receive the same high standard of service, even on leased aircraft.

3. Enhancing Passenger Experience:

With the new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, passengers will benefit from modern amenities, including enhanced cabin comfort and advanced safety features. The added aircraft will enable Air Peace to operate more flights on popular routes, reduce congestion, and improve flight punctuality. “Passengers care about timeliness and in-flight experience,” says Prof. Mojisola Adelaja, a transport economist. “By increasing fleet capacity, Air Peace can optimize scheduling and avoid last-minute flight cancellations.”

Emirates Airlines’ fleet upgrade to modern Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft improved customer satisfaction metrics significantly, thanks to upgraded seating and entertainment options. In a similar vein, Air Peace’s commitment to newer aircraft could transform travellers’ experiences, making air travel smoother and more comfortable.

4. Boosting Domestic Connectivity:

Air Peace has positioned itself as a key player in domestic and regional travel, and these aircraft additions will support this goal. The airline is already known for covering underserved routes, connecting smaller Nigerian cities to major hubs. “In a country with vast distances and growing demand for air travel, adding capacity is crucial for economic development,” notes Chief Adetola Ogunwusi, a logistics and infrastructure expert.

Ryanair’s strategy to expand its fleet enabled it to dominate Europe’s budget airline sector. The increase in aircraft allowed the airline to offer more flight options and reduced waiting times, making air travel more accessible. Air Peace’s similar expansion could significantly improve domestic travel experiences, reducing the need for long overland journeys.

5. Operational Resilience and Growth:

Air Peace’s order book, which includes future deliveries of Embraer E195-E2s and Boeing 737-8s, showcases the airline’s long-term commitment to growth. The four leased Boeing 737-800s will serve as a bridge, enhancing operational capacity until these new aircraft arrive. “This kind of fleet management indicates a solid understanding of growth dynamics,” says Engr. Felix Udeh, an aviation maintenance specialist. “Air Peace is positioning itself to be resilient and responsive to market needs.”

Singapore Airlines often leases aircraft to manage fleet transitions, ensuring that operations remain uninterrupted while waiting for new deliveries. This approach helps the airline maintain a strong market presence and service quality, a strategy Air Peace is similarly employing to remain competitive in the Nigerian market.

Looking ahead, Air Peace's proactive efforts, from dry-leasing advanced aircraft to maintaining a strong order book, are poised to support a robust passenger experience. Travelers can look forward to expanded legroom, enhanced cabin amenities, and the latest safety technology, ensuring comfort and peace of mind.

Air Peace Limited, Nigeria’s foremost airline was launched on October 24, 2014, with a record of seven aircraft comprising three state-of-the-art Dornier 328 and four Boeing 737-500 SP Jets.Air Peace envisioned a carrier that would fly to the top spot of the airline arm of the Nigerian aviation industry in no time. In just under a decade of flight operations, Air Peace

surpassed its target with its current position as the biggest airline in West and Central Africa, with a fleet size of 51 aircraft. The fleet expansion programme has been quite strategic and executed on a needs basis.

The carrier got its International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate in 2016 and was admitted as a member of IATA shortly after. In the same year, Air Peace was honored with the Tell Magazine Domestic Airline of the Year 2016 award, further affirming its growing prominence in the industry. As a new airline, Air Peace began with a fleet of 3 Dornier 328 aircraft for charter services and 4 Boeing 737-500 aircraft with a capacity of 114 seats for both passenger and cargo services. As demand for air travel grew over the years, it became evident that more aircraft were needed to meet this demand. Between 2015 and 2017, the airline acquired 8 additional Boeing 737-300 aircraft, each with a capacity of 136 seats, to serve the increasing demand for air travel.

Inundated with pleas by members of the flying public to extend its services to many unserved and underserved domestic and regional routes, Air Peace procured six 50- seater Embraer 145 jets in 2018 to drive its ‘No-City-Left-Behind’ project under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

From the outset, Air Peace came determined to make a difference in the provision of flight services, especially on the international routes. Between 2018 and 2019, the carrier acquired one Boeing 777-200ER and two Boeing 777-300 aircraft for its long-haul services, setting a domestic record as the first Nigerian airline to acquire the Boeing 777 and register

it in the country. The feat also placed Air Peace in a position to hand Nigeria its first type certification on the Boeing 777.

On July 5, 2019, the carrier successfully launched its inaugural international route to Dubai via Sharjah, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy. Since that initial flight, the airline has rapidly broadened its international presence, introducing a range of new destinations. Notable additions to its route network include direct flights Guangzhou-China, London, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Jeddah, and Tel Aviv. This strategic growth reflects the carrier's commitment to enhancing connectivity and meeting the diverse travel needs of its customers.

In just five years of its operations, Air Peace grew to become the biggest and preferred airline in Nigeria, lifting more than a third of all passengers in the country in 2018.In line with its business plan to operate flights to certain European destinations, including Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and North American destinationssuch as New York and Toronto , the airline has set new record on the West Coast of Africa when it signed an agreement with American planemaker, Boeing, on September 13, 2018, for the delivery of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

With this achievement, Air Peace made history as the first and only airline in the sub-region to secure a confirmed order for this aircraft type. Following this remarkable achievement, the airline further elevated its fleet expansion efforts on April 3, 2019, when it set a continental record by signing an order for 13 brand-new Embraer E195-E2 jets, along with purchase rights for an additional 17 of the same model. Continuing its momentum, in September 2023, Air Peace signed an order for five new Embraer 175 jets, underscoring its commitment to expanding its modern fleet and enhancing service offerings.

The massive expansion project has increased the carrier’s fleet of B737-300/500, B777, Embraer 195-E2, Embraer 175 and Embraer 145 jets to a total of 51 aircraft. This initiative is a key part of the airline’s strategy to modernize its fleet, enhancing fuel efficiency, operational efficiency, and customer comfort, while also advancing environmental sustainability as a major step towards going green. As a result, Air Peace now boasts the largest fleet in Nigeria and West Africa.