The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Enugu Air, clearing the state-owned carrier to begin commercial flight operations.
The certification, presented Tuesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, marks a key milestone in Peter Mbah’s plan to position Enugu State as a regional aviation and logistics hub.
According to a statement from the governor’s media office, the certification process took 5 months and 3 weeks, significantly faster than the aviation industry’s typical 15–24-month timeline for new airlines.
NCAA praises fast certification process
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo described the timeline as historic.
He said the airline successfully passed a rigorous regulatory evaluation across multiple departments before receiving approval.
“This confirms that Enugu Air has met all regulatory requirements and demonstrated full compliance with Nigeria’s aviation safety and operational standards,” Najomo said.
He also noted that the airline’s launch with a fleet of six aircraft is unusual for a new domestic carrier in Nigeria.
Najomo commended Governor Mbah’s leadership and urged the airline’s management to maintain strict safety standards as operations begin.
Airline outlines expansion plans.
The Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Air, Tolu Ita, credited the Enugu State government for creating an enabling environment for the airline’s launch.
She said the airline aims to build a reliable, efficient, and globally competitive carrier serving both domestic and regional routes.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, revealed that the airline plans to expand its fleet to 20 aircraft in the coming years.
“Enugu Air is a strategic component of the broader transport and logistics transformation aimed at unlocking economic opportunities,” Ozor said.
He added that the airline is targeting the launch of regional international operations before the end of 2026 to connect Enugu with major global markets.
Public-private partnership in aviation
The commissioner also acknowledged the role of XEJet Limited, the airline’s operating partner, in navigating regulatory processes.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, described the certification as evidence that public-private partnerships can accelerate aviation development in Nigeria.
Similarly, the chairman of Enugu Air’s board, Ricky Agu, assured regulators that the state government would continue supporting the airline to ensure world-class operations.
The event was attended by senior aviation officials and members of the Enugu State delegation, including the governor’s special assistant on transport, Iphie Ugonabo.
