Nigeria's leading carrier, Air Peace has taken its expansion drive to another level with the order on Thursday, of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Boeing, USA.

The order is historical and significant as it has made Air Peace the first and only airline in West Africa to purchase the fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft.

According to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, the 737 MAX will help the airline offer services to more destinations and serve more passengers.

The Boeing 737 MAX is part of a family of airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and fly up to 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 km). Other variants in include MAX 7, MAX 9, and MAX 10

The Boeing 737 MAX 8, in particular, offers airlines 13 more seats than its closest competitor, 7% lower costs for each of those seats, and 300 miles more range.

With improvements such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737 MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20% on fuel costs compared to its current single-aisle airplanes.

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,700 orders from 102 customers worldwide.

Air Peace already operates Boeing 737s and Embraer 145s on its domestic and regional routes. The airline recently acquired Boeing 777s, and will soon launch international operations.