Air TransportNigeria’s civil aviation authority has granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) to regional carrier Enugu Air, allowing the airline to begin operating scheduled flights under its own certification.
According to information released by the regulator on 10 March and reported by FlightGlobal, the certification follows several months of regulatory evaluation including operational demonstrations required for approval.
Until now, Enugu Air has relied on operational support from Nigerian operator XE Jet while progressing through the certification process. With its own AOC, the airline is expected to begin conducting services independently using its own operational certificate.
The airline operates a fleet of six Embraer E-Jets. Three aircraft — two E170s and one E190 — have been flying under XE Jet’s operational structure, while three E195s were added between January and February 2026.
Enugu Air says it serves several domestic destinations in Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin and Warri.
The carrier is led by chief executive Tolu Ita. Enugu state transportation commissioner Obi Ozor said the airline intends to expand its fleet to around 20 aircraft as part of plans to strengthen connectivity in Nigeria and develop Enugu as a regional aviation hub.
