The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has officially issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Enugu Air, the state-owned carrier, marking a significant milestone in Governor Peter Mbah’s drive to transform Enugu State into a regional aviation and logistics hub.
The certification, presented on Tuesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, was completed in five months and three weeks—far shorter than the industry standard of 15 to 24 months, according to a statement from the governor’s media office.
Speaking at the presentation, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo described the speed of certification as historic, noting that Enugu Air launched with a full fleet of six aircraft, a rare feat for new entrants in the Nigerian domestic aviation market.
“The airline successfully navigated a rigorous evaluation across multiple departments. This confirms that Enugu Air has met all regulatory requirements and demonstrated full compliance with Nigeria’s aviation safety and operational standards,” Najomo said, urging the airline to maintain high safety standards.
Enugu Air’s Accountable Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Tolu Ita, credited the state government for creating an enabling environment and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to building a “reliable, efficient, and globally competitive” carrier.
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Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, revealed plans to expand the airline’s fleet to 20 aircraft and target regional operations before the end of 2026 to connect Enugu with key international markets. He acknowledged the support of XEJet Limited, the airline’s operating partner, in navigating regulatory requirements.
XEJet’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Iza, described the milestone as evidence of the potential of public-private partnerships in the aviation sector. Enugu Air Board Chairman, Ricky Agu, assured regulators of the state’s continued support to ensure world-class operations.
The event was attended by senior aviation regulators and a high-level delegation from Enugu State, including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Iphie Ugonabo.