Caliphate Air has taken delivery of the first two aircraft for its planned commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in the launch of the Sokoto State-backed airline as it moves closer to commencing domestic services later this year.
The two Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets arrived in Kano on July 9 after undergoing pre-delivery maintenance in South Africa. The aircraft were ferried through Windhoek and Luanda before their arrival in Nigeria and form part of an initial fleet that will support the airline’s entry into the domestic market.
Managing Director of Caliphate Air, Capt. Abdulkarim Abioye, confirmed that a third ERJ-145 is expected to arrive in early August. He said all three aircraft were acquired outright from India’s Ghodawat Enterprises, whose airline subsidiary, Star Air, previously operated the jets.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-SOK, 5N-SOL and 5N-SOM, were withdrawn from service by Star Air between June and December 2025 before being prepared for delivery to Nigeria.
The fleet expansion comes as the airline continues to progress through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) certification process. Earlier this month, the NCAA disclosed that Caliphate Air was re-submitting documentation under the formal application phase of the certification programme, a critical step before commercial operations can begin.
Momentum for the new airline also received a boost after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for the project during a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Sokoto State Government in Abuja.
The delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Haliru Dikko, informed the minister that Caliphate Air is scheduled to be officially inaugurated on August 18 and requested continued support to ensure the timely completion of regulatory approvals.
According to the airline’s Director of Operations, Capt. Oluwashina Agbelese, Caliphate Air will commence operations with a fleet of five Embraer aircraft comprising three ERJ-145LR regional jets and two Embraer 190 aircraft. While two aircraft have already arrived in Nigeria, the remaining three are expected before the planned launch.
The airline intends to begin operations on the Sokoto-Abuja and Sokoto-Kano routes before gradually expanding its domestic network as passenger demand grows.
Responding, Keyamo commended the Sokoto State Government for investing in aviation, describing the initiative as a strategic move that would improve regional connectivity, stimulate economic activity and create employment opportunities.
He assured the delegation that the Federal Government would support the airline’s development while ensuring full compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
“I will do everything within my capacity to support this initiative and ensure that any impediments capable of delaying the commencement of operations are addressed promptly, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance,” the minister said.
Once certified, Caliphate Air is expected to strengthen air connectivity across Nigeria’s North-West region and add to the growing number of indigenous carriers serving the country’s domestic aviation market.
