Air Peace has expanded its fleet with the arrival of another Embraer 190 aircraft, taking the airline’s Embraer fleet to 18 aircraft and its total aircraft acquisitions in 2026 to eight.

The 96-seat Embraer 190 landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with Captain Mrs. Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide at the controls.

The latest acquisition is part of the airline’s ongoing fleet expansion programme aimed at increasing capacity, strengthening its network and improving operational flexibility across its domestic, regional and international routes.

Air Peace said the growing Embraer fleet, which includes the latest E2 series aircraft, complements its Boeing aircraft deployed across its expanding network. The airline is the launch customer for the Embraer E2 series in Africa.

In addition to the latest Embraer 190, Air Peace disclosed that it had acquired five Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2026, further expanding its fleet capacity.

The latest aircraft, configured with 12 Business Class and 84 Economy Class seats, is designed to provide greater passenger comfort while offering the airline flexibility in deploying capacity across its network.

The Business Class cabin has a 1-2 configuration, while the Economy Class cabin uses a 2-2 layout, eliminating middle seats. The aircraft also features generous legroom, a spacious cabin and in-seat power sockets.

Air Peace spokesperson, Mr. Osifo-Whiskey Efe, said the acquisition reflected the airline’s deliberate strategy to build a diverse fleet capable of supporting its network expansion.

“The arrival of another Embraer 190 is an important milestone in our strategic fleet expansion programme. We are deliberately building a diverse and versatile fleet that gives us the operational flexibility required to strengthen our network, improve schedule resilience and provide greater connectivity across the markets we serve,” Efe said.

He added that the airline’s 18 Embraer aircraft, alongside its growing Boeing fleet, were being acquired as part of a long-term capacity expansion strategy.

“With 18 Embraer aircraft now in our fleet, alongside our growing Boeing portfolio, we are building capacity for the long term. Every fleet decision is tied to our broader expansion strategy and our commitment to deploying the right aircraft across our domestic, regional and international network,” he stated.

The new aircraft has been named after Mrs. Eka Sunmonu, wife of former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu.

Air Peace said the naming was significant as it marked the first time the airline had named an aircraft after a person outside the Onyema family.

The latest addition strengthens the airline’s fleet capacity as it seeks to improve connectivity within Nigeria, expand its African network and support its growing international operations.

The implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) will take centre stage at the 2026 SAPTCO Annual Lecture in Lagos, as aviation stakeholders move to renew attention on Africa’s long-standing plan for a unified air transport market.

The lecture, scheduled for November 5, 2026, will be delivered by former Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ms. Iyabo O. Sosina, who played a role in the launch of SAATM during her tenure at the continental aviation body.

The event, which will also serve as a training programme, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the NCAA Training Suite, Annex, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

According to SAPTCO Managing Consultant, Mr. Sam Adurogoboye, the lecture is expected to provide a platform for aviation experts and stakeholders to examine why the initiative has not achieved the level of implementation envisaged since its launch.

He said the gathering would seek to redirect the attention of African leaders to the objectives of SAATM, including an Open Skies policy, traffic freedoms and the implementation of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision.

Launched in January 2018 as an African Union initiative, SAATM was designed to establish a single and unified civil aviation market across the continent.

Adurogoboye said the initiative was intended to open Africa’s skies, increase intra-African air travel and trade, lower air fares and contribute to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He, however, noted that the programme had yet to translate fully into the expected reality several years after its conceptualisation and launch.

The SAPTCO official expressed optimism that the annual lecture could serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts towards effective implementation of SAATM, which he said could improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth and reduce operating costs across the continent.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), is expected to attend the event as Special Guest of Honour, while the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, will be Guest of Honour.

Other participants are expected from airlines, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), aviation agencies and the aviation media.

Former NCAA Director General, Dr. Harold Demuren, who delivered the inaugural SAPTCO Lecture last year, is also expected to attend as Father of the Day.

Nigeria and India are set to deepen cooperation in aviation and aerospace development, with the Federal Government directing the establishment of a technical team to work out the details of a proposed bilateral partnership.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN), gave the directive on Wednesday when he received the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, who paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The proposed partnership is expected to focus on key areas including training, capacity building, knowledge transfer and other areas of mutual interest that could strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Speaking during the visit, Singh said Nigeria’s airports were performing very well, adding that his visits to the country had reinforced his belief that both nations had significant opportunities to gain from closer cooperation in aviation.

The envoy said there was tremendous potential in the sector and identified at least six or seven areas in which Nigeria and India could collaborate.

He also invited Keyamo to visit India, disclosing that the Indian Minister for Civil Aviation, whom he described as young and dynamic, was also interested in visiting Nigeria to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

On capacity building, Singh said India was prepared to deepen its existing programme in Nigeria, noting that more than 250 Nigerians benefit from the scheme annually.

He described Nigeria as a great country and said India held the country in high regard, stressing that his government would be pleased to receive the Nigerian aviation minister.

Responding, Keyamo welcomed the proposals, saying India’s experience in aviation, particularly in capacity building, offered valuable lessons for Nigeria as the Ministry implements the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the aviation and aerospace sector.

The Minister said the Federal Government was committed to strengthening bilateral partnerships that would improve aviation infrastructure while creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals to gain the skills and international exposure required to compete globally.

He identified training, capacity building and knowledge transfer as priority areas of the proposed cooperation.

Keyamo said the partnership should be structured to equip Nigerian engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals with the expertise needed to contribute more effectively to the growth and development of the sector.

He subsequently directed that a technical team be constituted to develop the details and framework for the proposed Nigeria-India aviation partnership.