.. as NCAA commends airline for acquisition of new airplanes
Air Peace recently took delivery of another brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft saying it improves the economics of the airline by reducing operational cost.
The aircraft which is the fourth of the airline’s initial 13 E195-E2 aircraft ordered from aircraft manufacturing Embraer was received by dignitaries in the aviation industry including the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This is just as the NCAA commended the airline for its acquisition of brand new aircraft asking others to follow suit as this would develop the industry.
The aircraft named ‘Kingsley Chukwuma Onyema’ with registration marks 5N-BYI which arrived from the Embraer facility in Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil was welcome with a water canon salute at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, who was on ground with members and executives of Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), said the aircraft were bought to further improve safety, save fuel and improve operational cost.
Onyema 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 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 at Air Peace made it 124 to give passengers what they deserve: safety and comfort.
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 that the Embraer is being flown into airfields like Warri and others.
Also speaking the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, commended the airline and 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 its 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 stated.
