Major Brazil-based aerospace group Embraer announced on Thursday that Nigerian carrier Air Peace had placed a firm order for five of the airframer’s E175 smaller-category (88-seat) single-aisle airliners. The order is worth, using list prices, $288.3-million. Deliveries of the new aircraft will start next year.

Air Peace is the largest airline in West Africa and has its hub in Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos. The carrier already operates other Embraer types, including the manufacturer’s largest model, the new generation 146-seat E195-E2. Part of the airline’s fleet modernisation strategy, the E175s will displace Embraer ERJ145 50-seat regional airliners.

“This is another important step in helping realise our ambition to connect the whole of Nigeria with the entire African continent, while also feeding passengers into long-haul flights from our Lagos hub,” highlighted Air Peace chairperson and CEO Allen Onyema. “The acquisition enables us to continue delivering on our ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative – connectivity is what our passengers, and Africa, demand. The deal also paves the way to establish local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria, with direct support from Embraer.”

Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of smaller single-aisle airliners with 150 seats or less. Of its original family of such aircraft, the E-Jets (now being referred to as the E1s), only the E175 remains in production. The airframer has developed the new generation EJet-E2 family, of which the E190-E2 and E195-E2 are currently in production. With the E1-generation E175 still in demand, development of the smallest member of the EJet-E2 family, the up-to-90-seat E175-E2, is currently paused.

“Air Peace’s strategic and innovative approach continues to make them a powerhouse of aviation success in West Africa,” affirmed Embraer Commercial Aviation VP sales & marketing and Africa and Middle East Region head Stephan Hannemann. “Already an E2 operator, it now makes sense to upgrade their ERJ145 fleet, offering passengers more seats and comfort with the E175. The commonality of the cockpits between the E1 and the E2 fleet also simplifies aircrew costs and management. Acknowledging Air Peace’s significant investment in the acquisition of the Embraer fleet of aircraft, which has increased to 18 brand new firm aircraft to date, Embraer, in partnership with Air Peace is committed to directly supporting the establishment of local maintenance capabilities in Nigeria.”

Embraer also announced on Thursday the delivery of the first of three new E175s to another Nigerian carrier, Overland Airways. This airline operates both scheduled and charter services and the E175s will increase its capacity on domestic routes and allow it to expand its network. The carrier also has options on another three E175s.

“Overland has an ecosystem of aviation excellence crowned with its E175 fleet,” affirmed Overland Airways MD Captain Edward Boyo. “With Embraer, we now have very flexible options to grow our fleet and capacity to meet all future demand.”

“The delivery of Overland’s first new E175 marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the airline and Embraer,” asserted Hannemann. “Nigeria represents one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world; Overland and Embraer are committed to the support of its continued success with a product line perfectly suited to build connectivity across West Africa.”