Air Peace has expanded its network from Abuja, commencing flights from the Nigerian capital to both Dubai and Johannesburg. Flights will operate from Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) once per week to Dubai (DXB), and twice per week to Johannesburg (JNB).

Another development

This is not the first time that Air Peace has operated to the United Arab Emirates. It began services to the Middle Eastern nation in July 2019, but at that time flying to Sharjah rather than Dubai.

However in March this year, the Sharjah route was replaced when the carrier launched flights from Lagos to Dubai. This route is now operated three times per week by the airline’s flagship Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

A closer look at the flight schedules

The weekly service to Dubai departs Abuja on Fridays at 19.25, arriving in Dubai at 05.25 (+1). The return flight leaves Dubai at 8.50 am on Saturdays, arriving in Abuja at 14.40.

Air Peace will face some stiff competition on this route. Emirates currently operates four weekly flights from Dubai to the Nigerian capital, however, this will increase to five weekly from May 1st, and then to daily from September 1st. Emirates is also growing its presence in Lagos, where flights will increase from seven to 11 weekly from July 1st.

Air Peace’s twice-weekly Abuja to Johannesburg service appears on the carrier’s website as a direct, one-stop option, departing Abuja at 20:20 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Johannesburg at 6.05 (+1). The return flight leaves Johannesburg at 9.05 am on Thursdays and Sundays, arriving back in Abuja at 16.50.

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No other airline currently flies directly between Abuja and Johannesburg.

Air Peace – the largest airline in West Africa

Air Peace is Nigeria’s flag carrier and largest airline, with its main operating base at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. With 33 aircraft in its fleet, it also holds the title of being the largest airline in West Africa.

Its fleet is currently made up of a wide variety of aircraft types, ranging from the Embraer 145 with 50 seats to the Boeing 777-300 with 364 seats.

The carrier currently has 18 aircraft on order, including 10 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The arrival of these new aircraft will help Air Peace to standardize its fleet going forward.

On the back of the new routes to Dubai and Johannesburg, the airline has plans for further international expansion in the future. According to Air Peace spokesperson Stanley Olisa, the airline will “continue to expand its route network strategically, adding more connections, and consistently modernizing its fleet to ease the burden of travel for its clients.”

At the time of the launch of the Lagos to Dubai service last month, the airline stated,

“We’re constantly reviewing our route network in line with the needs of the flying public. We also have other international routes in the works, such as Houston, Mumbai, Guangzhou, and London.”

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