Nigerian carrier Air Peace has continued its widebody fleet expansion, taking delivery of a fourth Boeing 777-200ER which will be used for long-haul services to the UK.
The aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Aug. 22, from Teruel Airport, Spain, which is Europe’s largest aircraft storage site.
“This milestone represents a significant step in our expansion strategy as we advance plans to connect Nigeria with key global destinations, including London, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean,” Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema said.
The arrival of this latest 777—reg. 5N-CEG—is a significant boost for Air Peace, which operates the first Nigerian twin-aisle fleet. The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows that the aircraft was rolled out in 2005 and delivered to Japan Airlines that same year. Japan Airlines operated the 777 until 2020 and then sold it in 2022 to Jet Midwest which then sold it on to Alta 777. Alta still owns the aircraft and has leased it to Air Peace.
Onyema said the aircraft will be deployed in the next two months for inaugural long-haul flights from Nigeria’s capital Abuja to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
In June, the airline confirmed it had been given the green light to commence services between Abuja and London Heathrow beginning Oct. 25.
Since Air Peace started operations in 2014, its fleet has grown to over 40 aircraft, including Embraer ERJ145s. In June, it added its first E190.
Air Peace COO Oluwatoyin Olajide described the arrival of the latest 777 as a “game changer” for the airline.
“This is a world class aircraft with a first-class cabin, first class comfort, and when you’re talking about competing favorably with other legacy carriers in the world, this is the aircraft to beat,” Olajide said.
Affordable access to international travel for Nigerians is also one of Air Peace’s main objectives.
Onyema said the airline’s commitment is to offer Nigerians “fair and affordable” access to international travel while curbing the high fares endured by passengers on foreign carriers.
Onyema also stressed the “urgent” need for an efficient hub system in Nigeria to enhance both regional and international connectivity.
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