Enugu Air today received its Air Operator Certificate from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), completing the Airline’s process for the state-owned Airline.
Presenting the AOC to Enugu Air’s Accountable Manager/CEO, Captain Tolu Ita, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Najomo, described the moment as historic, given that Enugu Air completed the rigorous certification process in five months and three weeks.
Captain Najomo added that Enugu Air’s impressive launch fleet of six aircraft is a remarkable feat in Nigeria’s aviation industry. The DG hailed the NCAA certification process. He stated that multiple departments vetted the Airline and that it passed with flying colours. It meets compliance and aviation operational standards.
The Accountable Manager/CEO of Enugu Air, Captain Tolu, thanked Enugu’s Governor, Peter Mbah, for his vision and support for the transport sector in Enugu. The Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Dr Obi Ozor, explained that Enugu Air remains a key component of Governor Mbah’s broader transport and logistics transformation agenda.
According to the commissioner, the goal is to unlock economic opportunities across Enugu state, the eastern region and Africa. He claimed that Enugu Air will expand its fleet to 20. This will help the airline expand its route network across new regions in Nigeria.
He commended Enugu Air’s operating partner, XEJet Limited, for its role in the development. They guided the airline through the rigorous regulatory certification process required to obtain the Air Operator Certificate.
Enugu Air Shines in a Difficult Industry
Enugu Air joins Ibom Air on the growing list of state-backed airlines in the country. The aviation business is a tight-margin industry, as evidenced by the number of failed Airline startups in Nigeria.
The country is yet to float a successful national carrier, having failed several times to launch one. The latest attempt is the Air Nigeria project floated during the Muhammadu Buhari administration in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines.
Enugu Air is also the only Airline owned by a state government in eastern Nigeria.
