Nigeria’s flag carrier, Air Peace, has entered into a dry-lease agreement with Slovak airline AirExplore to lease four Boeing 737-800 aircraft in order to accommodate the high demand for air travel during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period.
A dry lease involves leasing an aircraft without the provision of crew, maintenance, or insurance, allowing the lessee to operate the aircraft independently. This arrangement offers a cost-effective solution for operators who are able to manage the aircraft on their own.
Sources close to the airline confirmed that Air Peace specifically sought the four Boeing 737-800s to handle domestic operations during the festive season. Under the agreement, AirExplore, a subsidiary of the Avia Solutions Group, will supply the pilots, while Air Peace will provide its own cabin crew, who are currently undergoing training for the task.
Ejike Ndiulo, the Head of Corporate Communications for Air Peace, confirmed the development, stating that the arrangement would allow the airline to maintain its high customer service standards while benefiting from AirExplore’s operational expertise. “Passengers can expect efficient and familiar service onboard, in line with Air Peace’s established reputation,” the statement read.
Air Peace’s current fleet consists of seven Boeing 737-300s, four Boeing 737-500s, a Boeing 777-200ER, two Boeing 777-300s, eight Embraer E145s, five Embraer E195-E2s, and an executive Dornier 328-300. The latest collaboration with AirExplore marks another step in the airline’s efforts to meet rising passenger numbers during peak periods.
This is not the first such arrangement between Air Peace and the Avia Solutions Group. Between 2021 and 2023, the airline also dry-leased two Airbus A320-200s from SmartLynx Airlines Malta, another member of the ASG network.
The source also disclosed that Air Peace had recently secured two wet-leased Boeing 737-700 aircraft to further bolster its fleet capacity for the holiday season.
