Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
KlasJet Expands Air Peace Fleet with Boeing 737-800 ACMI Lease
KlasJet provides Air Peace with a dual-class Boeing 737-800 ACMI lease to enhance capacity and support regional growth in West Africa.
This article is based on an official press release from KlasJet and includes data from industry market research.
KlasJet, a prominent provider of exclusive private charter and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing services, has announced a new strategic partnership with Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline. According to the company’s official statement, the agreement involves the wet lease of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft designed to support Air Peace’s operational capacity during critical travel periods.
The partnership comes as Air Peace seeks to stabilize its schedule and expand its regional footprint across West Africa. By utilizing KlasJet’s ACMI solution, the Nigerian carrier aims to meet the surging demand of the “Yuletide” season while preparing for broader network adjustments scheduled for early 2026.
The agreement centers on a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft. Unlike standard high-density configurations often found in the wet leasing market, KlasJet has provided a unit with a premium “dual-class” layout. This configuration is specifically intended to align with Air Peace’s requirement to offer consistent service levels to its business clientele.
According to the technical specifications released:
Under the terms of the ACMI contract, KlasJet retains responsibility for the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while Air Peace manages fuel, route planning, and marketing. This model allows the Nigerian carrier to deploy capacity rapidly without the long-term capital expenditure associated with purchasing new airframes.
The collaboration addresses immediate operational needs for Air Peace while validating KlasJet’s expansion strategy into the African aviation market.
For Air Peace, the lease provides a crucial buffer. Industry reports indicate that the airline is currently restructuring its regional network, with plans to shift from night-time to day-time operations in 2026 to enhance connectivity. Furthermore, the airline is targeting new routes to destinations such as Douala, Libreville, Kinshasa, and Bamako.
In a statement regarding the partnership, Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, emphasized the importance of flexibility in their growth strategy: “As the region’s leading airline, we have ambitious plans for the future and are convinced that the aircraft leasing model provides us with the flexibility required to grow strategically.”
KlasJet, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, has identified Africa as a high-growth region for ACMI services. The company’s strategy involves deploying aircraft with business class cabins to cater to flag carriers and premium airlines that cannot compromise on passenger experience during lease periods.
Augustinas Riskus, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer at KlasJet, highlighted the economic potential of the region:
“We believe that the ACMI model is well-suited for the African market, as it allows carriers to test out new routes and expand fleets without the additional financial burden of ownership… Nigeria is the most populous African country with an enormous economic potential.”
The partnership occurs against a backdrop of significant projected growth for the African aviation sector. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that African air traffic will grow by 7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026. West and Central Africa are expected to be primary drivers of this expansion.
The aviation industry is a vital economic engine for Nigeria, contributing approximately $2.5 billion to the GDP and supporting over 200,000 jobs. As demand rises, the ACMI model is becoming an increasingly popular tool for airlines to manage seasonal peaks and mitigate operational risks.
The Shift to Premium ACMI
The configuration of the leased Boeing 737-800 signals a maturing ACMI market in Africa. Historically, wet-leased aircraft were often high-density “economy only” vessels used strictly for volume. However, as major carriers like Air Peace compete for high-value corporate travelers, the inability to offer a business class product on leased aircraft has been a significant service gap.
By offering a dual-class configuration, KlasJet is positioning itself not just as a capacity provider, but as a brand-continuity partner. This approach allows Air Peace to maintain its service standards even when operating leased metal, a critical factor for retaining loyalty in the competitive West African market.
What is an ACMI lease? Why did Air Peace choose a dual-class aircraft? What routes will this aircraft serve?
KlasJet Bolsters Air Peace Fleet with Strategic Boeing 737-800 ACMI Lease
Operational Details and Aircraft Configuration
Strategic Rationale for the Partnership
Capacity Recovery and Regional Expansion
KlasJet’s Market Penetration
Market Context: Aviation Growth in West Africa
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
ACMI stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance. It is a leasing arrangement where the lessor (KlasJet) provides the aircraft and operational support, while the lessee (Air Peace) pays for fuel, airport fees, and handles the commercial side of the flights.
Air Peace serves a significant number of business travelers. A dual-class aircraft (Business and Economy) ensures that the airline can continue to offer premium services and maintain its brand standards, even when using a leased aircraft.
The aircraft is expected to support Air Peace’s domestic and regional schedule, helping to cover high demand during the holiday season and supporting expansion into new West African destinations like Douala and Bamako.
Sources
Photo Credit: KlasJet