The widebody aircraft, registered 5N-CEG, landed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday, August 22, from Teruel, Spain. It was welcomed with a water-cannon salute and a reception led by Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, alongside his management team and aviation officials.
Configured with 312 seats—26 in Business Class and 286 in Economy—the aircraft is expected to be deployed within two months on routes including Abuja–London, with flights scheduled for both Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
“This milestone strengthens our expansion plans as we prepare to connect Nigeria to more global destinations, including London, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean,” the airline said in a statement.
Expansion Amid Controversies
The acquisition comes despite lingering controversies around Air Peace’s past aircraft purchases. In 2019, U.S. prosecutors indicted Onyema on charges of money laundering and bank fraud, alleging he moved millions of dollars through falsified documents linked to aircraft deals. In 2024, obstruction of justice charges were added, though Onyema has consistently denied wrongdoing and continues to operate freely in Nigeria.
Regulators have also faulted the airline in the past for lapses in reporting aircraft incidents, raising questions about oversight.
London Route Struggles
Air Peace launched direct Lagos–London flights in March 2024, becoming the only Nigerian carrier on the lucrative route. Within its first year, it transported over 136,000 passengers across 662 flights, contributing an estimated $150 million to Nigeria’s GDP and creating 1,200 jobs. Its entry sparked a fare war, slashing ticket prices on the route by up to 40 percent.
However, the airline has faced obstacles, including slot restrictions limiting its access to Heathrow. It has accused UK authorities of “aeropolitics” designed to frustrate Nigerian carriers. Analysts warn that Air Peace could face the same difficulties that led to the collapse of Arik Air and Med-View, both of which once operated London flights before succumbing to high costs and competition.
Looking Beyond London
Despite these challenges, Air Peace is pressing ahead with wider expansion, targeting routes in South America and the Caribbean, including São Paulo, Antigua, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Onyema maintains that the strategy is aimed at making international travel more affordable for Nigerians and positioning the country as a regional aviation hub.
He praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for supporting indigenous airlines and commended Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for pursuing policies that give Nigerian carriers a fairer playing field against global competitors.
With its newest Boeing 777, Air Peace is betting on long-haul expansion to cement its role as a continental player. But analysts say sustaining profitability amid intense competition, high operating costs, and regulatory headwinds will ultimately decide whether Nigeria’s flag-carrier aspirations succeed.
