Air Peace to receive second new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft in Abuja
******Air Peace was the first African carrier to take delivery of the new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft
**** Embraer E195-E2 will offer passengers satisfaction
By Abisola THOMPSON
In developing the country’s Aviation economy and building passengers satisfaction, the management of Air Peace will today take delivery of its second new batch of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Brazil in Abuja.
The aircraft, which will be landing at about 1:30 p.m at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja today will be graced by government dignitaries, top corporate executives, members of the diplomatic corps and high-profile aviation stakeholders.
The activities will take place both at the ramp and in the hall, with ribbon-cutting, aircraft tour, brief speeches by invited personages, interviews, and photo sessions.
TBI Africa reports that Air Peace on January 28 took delivery of the first brand new E195-E2 aircraft in Africa, from Brazilian aerospace conglomerate, Embraer.
This is one out of 13 E195-E2s ordered by the airline in 2019, with purchase rights for 17 of the same aircraft type.
It will be recalled that Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace, said that Air Peace was the first African carrier to take delivery of the new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft type with 30 requests, including 13 firm orders and 17 purchase right orders, coming second to Lufthansa globally, which ordered 35.
Onyema said the airline would not pay Valued Added Tax (VAT) and Customs duties on the new planes, describing it as big financial relief.
The chairman said that it was in response to his challenge to airlines to acquire new planes that spurred Air Peace to order for the new aircraft.
Speaking with journalists on the uniqueness of the E195-E2, the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, said the E195-E2 is uniquely configured to offer a superior travel experience to Air Peace’s customers.
Olajide, explained why the airline chose the E195-E2 aircraft model, which is a 124-seat capacity state-of-the-art jet with impressive economic performance.
She stated: “Now, why have we introduced the E195-E2? The E2 is a brand new aircraft, super-efficient, an aircraft that is for the future and even now.
“This is because a lot of money will be saved as regards the operating cost, there are savings on fuel, bearing in mind the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria. These aircraft coming into the country will help lower operating cost. The performance is awesome.
“A lot of Nigerians who hitherto were apprehensive of travelling by air, can now be rest assured. This is the plane for them. Once onboard this aircraft, you will feel transported to a world of luxury and comfort and most importantly, safety. This is what Air Peace represents. This is the Air Peace Experience”.
Describing the cabin configuration, Olajide said: “The interior is excellent. The staggered seats that we have in the Business Class are second to none. Furthermore, there is an innovation with the table- it has an iPad holder”. She emphasised that Air Peace wants the Nigerian flying public to experience the enhanced comfort, increased privacy and beauty offered by the brand new E195-E2, which is considered the best in its segment.
Olajide revealed that one of the strong points of this plane is its advanced fly-by-wire system which enables the aircraft to adjust seamlessly through turbulence in such a way that the passenger is oblivious to it.
Embraer’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Francisco Gomes Neto, in describing the new aircraft acquired by Air Peace, has this to say: “The E2s are really fantastic airplanes. Your engineering people are going to love the technology. Your crew are going to love flying them. Your accountants are going to love the operating economics, and your passengers are going to love the stunning interior, especially those sitting in business class with the staggered seat layout. That innovation is an industry first, and we’re so pleased that Air Peace will showcase it to the world and, of course, that you’re the first airline in Africa to fly an E-195-E2”.
However, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Siriki described the aircraft as a right step in the right direction.
Sirika said the bold step by the airlines aligned with the Federal Government’s road map for the aviation sector.
He said the use of newer airplanes by Nigerian carriers would change the dynamics in airlines’ profitability and sustainability by driving down maintenance and fueling cost.
