Binani Air, a Nigeria-based carrier, received its air operating certificate on March 17, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed in a statement. The certification was issued in Abuja, authorising the airline to commence commercial flight operations, and represents the planning, compliance and strategic development by the Binani group.
Challenges Overcome
NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo spoke about the recent certification milestone and noted that, as Binani Air is a women-led airline in a sector dominated by men, this is monumental for the airline.
Binani Air’s fleet includes two company-owned E170s and an ex-EgyptAir Express, both stored in Abuja. The certification was granted following the airline’s successful completion of Nigeria’s regulatory requirements, such as: covering aircraft maintenance, crew training, operational procedures and financial sustainability.
The ceremony took place in Abuja, where the director general of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, commended the resilience of the airline’s founder, Aishatu Binani Dahiru, and her team for overcoming the rigorous certification process. Although the founder has not disclosed plans for the airline to have scheduled operations, this certification is a hurdle that Binani Air has been able to overcome. The Nigerian aviation industry has seen a lot of hardship, with disruptions, financial strain, and operational hurdles affecting several carriers.
Nigeria has also recently announced that the state of Ebonyi is preparing to launch a state-owned airline, Ebonyi Air.
New Milestone for Nigeria’s Aviation Sector
The certification, granted in Abuja, has allowed Binani Air to begin flight operations when ready and to add capacity to a sector that has already faced its challenges. For travellers, this could mean more options for better connectivity and potentially more competitive pricing as airlines work to attract more passengers. Regulators have emphasised that there is a duty to maintain safety and professionalism.
With careful planning, Binani Air will move from certification to active operations. Nigeria has one of the largest travel markets, and Binani Air’s certification comes as a testament to the growth and innovation of Nigeria’s aviation.
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