Summary
- Overland Airways has taken delivery of its first Embraer E175, which is ready to strengthen connectivity in Nigeria’s regional aviation market.
- The brand new E175s will boost Overland Airways’ capability and help revitalize its operations, which have been affected by delays and disruption.
- The aircraft has turn into the biggest type in Overland Airways’ fleet.
Nigeria’s Overland Airways has taken delivery of its first Embraer E175, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer has confirmed. The domestic jet is the primary of three recent aircraft set to affix Overland Airways’ fleet over the approaching years, which also holds options for 3 more jets to expand its operations even further.
Strengthening connectivity
In an announcement shared by Embraer on Thursday, Head of Africa & Middle East Region Stephan Hannemann noted the positive impact of the brand new aircraft on Nigeria and West Africa’s regional connectivity. Hannemann explained,
Photo: Overland Airways
The nearly $300 million deal is ready to bolster Overland Airways’ capability and add additional expansion opportunities through Nigeria, supplementing its current all-turboprop operations. Overland Airways Managing Director Captain Edward Boyo added,
Operational boost
The carrier has notably struggled with delays and disruption through 2022 and 2023 alongside other Nigerian domestic operators. In response to Business Day, Overland Airways recorded essentially the most significant proportion of flight delays in Nigeria in 2022, soaring to almost 84% of services affected; nevertheless, the brand new E175s may revitalize its operations.
Offering seating for as much as 88 passengers across two classes, the E175s will turn into the biggest aircraft in Overland Airways’ fleet. The carrier moreover operates three ATR 42 and one ATR 72, each averaging over 30 years old.
Alongside bolstering its services, Overland Airways can also be eyeing corporate growth. The carrier has already built a brand new office and hangar around Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) to satisfy growing demand.
Order up!
Embraer’s E-series is proving to be a well-liked selection with regional operators across Africa, including South Africa’s Airlink, Madagascar Airlines, and Eswatini Air, all taking deliveries of Embraer jets in 2023.
Photo: Embraer
Fellow Nigerian operator Air Peace can also be trying to bolster its Embraer fleet, ordering five E175s earlier this week. Deliveries are set to start in 2024, strengthening its current operational capability.
The carrier currently operates five of the larger E195-E2 alongside a mixture of Boeing, Dornier, and Embraer aircraft, with the E175 eyed to fit into Air Peace’s regional and domestic network, expanding current coverage.
Over the following several years, Nigeria’s operators are set to tackle as much as 40 brand recent aircraft, This Day reports, starting from an existing Air Peace Boeing 737 MAX order, Overland Airways’ two remaining E175s, and Ibom Air’s upcoming Airbus order. Deliveries are expected through 2025.
What are your thoughts on Overland Airways’ recent fleet additions? What routes would you wish to see the carrier operate? Tell us within the comments.