‘Fourth Embraer E195 arrival will further reduce operational cost, improve safety’- Onyema
By Olamilekan FAWAS
The management of Air Peace has taken delivery of the fourth of its initial 13 E195-E2 aircraft ordered from aircraft manufacturing giants Embraer and has said the new equipment will improves the economy of the airline by reducing operational cost.
This is just as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) commended the airline for its acquisition of brand new aircraft asking others to follow suit as it would develop the industry.
Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman, disclosed this during the official delivery ceremony of the fourth E195-E2 aircraft at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday
TBI Africa reports that the aircraft named Kingsley Chukwuma Onyema with registration marks 5N-BYI arrived from the Embraer facility in Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil was welcome with a water canon salute at the Airport.
He stressed that Air Peace has taken delivery of the fourth of its initial 13 E195-E2 aircraft ordered from aircraft manufacturing giants Embraer.
Allen said that the aircraft were bought to further improve safety, save fuel, improve operational cost.
Onyela said,” From 2018 we made a commitment to acquire brand new aircraft to replace our fleet. I am not saying our aircraft is unsafe but because of the economics of the game.
“The Embraer will aid save fuel and reduce operational cost. It’s not about age, it’s about maintenance but a brand new aircraft takes safety to a new level.
“The aircraft is configured for 148 passengers but we are Air Peace made it 124 to give passengers what they deserve: safety and comfort,’ he said.
He also said the Embraer E195-E2 was a calculated buy because it was bigger than the Boeing 737 but had a technology so advanced it can land and take off on the shortest of runways stressing the Embraer is being flown into airfields like Warri etc.
Also speaking the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu commended the airline for its acquisition of brand new aircraft asking others to follow suit as it would develop the industry.
Nuhu stressed that Air Peace is not just procuring new aircraft but appropriate aircraft for operations.
“It gladdens my heart that Nigerian airlines are not only getting new aircraft but are getting the right aircraft.
” The connectivity in Nigeria has improved and it’s getting better. These new aircraft have low maintenance and operational costs and are environmental friendly.
“This is the way to go. I believe with time, Air Peace will change all it’s fleet to newer ones.
“Pre-COVID, 10 to 12 million passengers passed through the country’s airports, which amounts to 10 per cent of the country’s population.
“Airlines need to connect different parts of the country for trade, thereby contributing to the country’s GDP.
“The airline industry is growing and those surviving are expanding their fleet,” he said.
