Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has added a fourth Boeing 777-200ER to its fleet, bolstering Lagos–London operations and long-haul expansion plans, despite lingering controversies around its chairman, Allen Onyema
Air Peace Expands Fleet with Fourth Boeing 777 as Onyema Pushes International Growth
Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace, has strengthened its international expansion drive with the addition of a fourth Boeing 777-200ER to its fleet, underscoring its ambition to dominate the competitive Lagos–London route and open new global connections.
The aircraft, registered 5N-CEG, touched down at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday, August 22, from Teruel, Spain. It was welcomed with a water-cannon salute and a ceremony led by Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema, alongside senior executives and aviation officials.
“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.
Configured with 312 seats—26 in Business Class and 286 in Economy—the aircraft is expected to be deployed within two months. Mr Onyema confirmed it would serve long-haul flights from Abuja to London Heathrow and Gatwick.
The acquisition, however, comes amid persistent scrutiny of the airline and its leadership. In 2019, Onyema was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges of money laundering and bank fraud linked to aircraft acquisitions. Prosecutors later added obstruction of justice charges in 2024, accusing him of misleading investigators with backdated contracts.
Onyema has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and continues to operate freely in Nigeria, but the unresolved legal issues cast a shadow over Air Peace’s rapid expansion. Regulators have also raised concerns in the past about the airline’s reporting of safety incidents, calling for tighter oversight.
Despite the controversies, Air Peace remains a dominant player in Nigeria’s aviation sector, with its growing fleet of widebody aircraft positioning it as a major competitor on international routes. Read More
