Enugu Air has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), marking a major milestone in the airline’s establishment and a key step toward the vision of Peter Mbah to position Enugu as a regional aviation and logistics hub in West and Central Africa.
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The certificate was presented on Tuesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja by the Director-General of the regulatory body, Chris Najomo, to Enugu Air’s Accountable Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Tolu Ita.
Najomo described the certification as historic in Nigeria’s aviation sector, noting that Enugu Air completed the rigorous process in six months, far quicker than the typical industry timeline of 15 to 24 months.
According to him, the state-owned airline also set a notable record by commencing operations with a full fleet of six aircraft, a rare achievement for a newly certified airline in the country.
He explained that the certification involved extensive evaluation by multiple departments of the NCAA to ensure that the airline met all regulatory requirements and complied fully with Nigeria’s aviation safety and operational standards.
Najomo commended Governor Mbah’s leadership and vision, saying the speed and discipline with which the project was executed reflected purposeful governance. He also urged the airline’s management to sustain high standards of safety, regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
In her remarks, Ita expressed appreciation to Governor Mbah for conceiving the Enugu Air project and providing the enabling environment that made the record-breaking certification possible.
She also thanked the NCAA for its professionalism and support throughout the certification process, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to building a reliable and globally competitive carrier that will deliver high standards of safety and service to passengers.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation in Enugu State, Obi Ozor, described the airline as a strategic component of the state government’s transport and logistics transformation agenda.
Ozor disclosed that Enugu Air plans to expand its fleet to 20 aircraft and commence regional operations before the end of 2026, connecting Enugu to key domestic and international destinations while promoting trade, tourism and investment.
He further commended the airline’s operating partner, XEJet Limited, for guiding the airline through the regulatory certification process required for the issuance of the AOC.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of XEJet Limited, Emmanuel Iza, who congratulated the airline, said the milestone demonstrated the value of strong partnerships between government and the commercial aviation sector in advancing air transport development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Enugu Air Board, Ricky Agu, assured the NCAA that the Enugu State Government would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the airline operates at world-class standards.
The AOC presentation ceremony was attended by senior aviation regulators and members of the Enugu State delegation, including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Iphie Ugonabo, as well as members of the airline’s management team.