Air Peace has recorded the largest increase in airline seat capacity in Africa, adding about 121,000 scheduled seats in July 2026 to cement its position as one of the continent’s fastest-growing carriers.
According to the latest African aviation market report by OAG, the Nigerian airline increased its scheduled seat capacity by 50.6 per cent year-on-year compared with July 2025, the highest growth recorded among Africa’s leading airlines.
The expansion also returned Air Peace to OAG’s ranking of Africa’s 10 largest airlines by scheduled capacity after several months outside the list.
Despite recording the continent’s strongest growth, Air Peace ranked 10th overall with approximately 360,000 scheduled seats in July 2026.
Royal Air Maroc posted the second-largest capacity increase, adding about 120,100 seats, representing 16.4 per cent annual growth, while Ethiopian Airlines retained its position as Africa’s largest carrier with 2.1 million scheduled seats, up 12.1 per cent from a year earlier.
OAG’s report showed Africa’s aviation sector maintained strong momentum in July 2026, with total scheduled airline capacity rising 7.5 per cent year-on-year to 26.3 million seats.
International services accounted for 79 per cent of total capacity, with international seat capacity growing 6.6 per cent, while domestic services expanded even faster at 11.1 per cent.
North Africa remained the continent’s largest aviation market, but West and Central Africa recorded the fastest growth.
Nigeria emerged as Africa’s fastest-growing major aviation market, with total scheduled airline capacity climbing 44.5 per cent to 1.22 million seats from 847,200 a year earlier. Domestic capacity rose even more sharply, increasing 54.8 per cent to 921,100 seats.
Egypt retained its position as Africa’s largest aviation market with 2.9 million scheduled seats. Nigeria ranked fifth, behind Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Ethiopia, while Algeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana completed the top 10 markets.
Air Peace’s capacity growth has been driven by an aggressive fleet expansion over the past year.
The airline added a Boeing 737-700 under a dry lease agreement in November 2025, followed by a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft in May 2026. It also received its first Embraer 190 aircraft in June 2026, strengthening its domestic, regional and international operations.
United Nigeria Airlines has also expanded its fleet with the acquisition of a Boeing 737-800, reflecting broader growth across Nigeria’s aviation industry as carriers respond to rising passenger demand.
The Federal Government is seeking to further strengthen the aviation sector through the establishment of the Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company, approved in May 2026.
The proposed company will operate as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), funded and managed by private investors with government backing through sovereign guarantees aimed at improving Nigerian airlines’ access to aircraft.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the initiative would make it easier for domestic carriers to lease or acquire aircraft, reduce dependence on expensive short-term wet leases, minimise flight disruptions and support long-term fleet expansion.
Under the arrangement, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) will hold equity in the leasing company in exchange for providing sovereign guarantees, creating a platform designed to attract international lessors and financiers while supporting the continued growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
